Norma Alicia Raya

Norma was born on June 13, 1960 in San Juan, Texas, the daughter of Espiridion Moran and Soledad Galaviz-Moran.

Norma graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1979 before immediately entering the workforce. Later in life, Norma achieved her associate degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College in December of 2007, proving it’s never too late to get an education.

Norma married Porfirio Raya, Sr. on April 23, 1982 at the Wyandotte County courthouse. They were married for 35 years and had two sons, Porfirio Jr. and Louis. Norma’s family was not completed until November 11, 2016 with the arrival of her granddaughter Maricela and later on February 12, 2019, with Alicia.

In her early years Norma worked as a cashier and customer relations at JC Penny, Venture, Price Chopper, and serving at Micheal & Monica’s Deli before she found her career at General Motors Auto Plant in November of 1996. During that time, Norma was select twice for a GM launch program and traveled to the Opal Factory in Rüsselsheim, Germany. Ever active in local politics Norma was elected as Democratic committeewoman of Kansas City 1st Ward alongside her husband Porfirio. Norma was also a very strong participant in her union, serving on the Civil Rights Committee, as an Executive Committee Trustee, elected delegate for the International Constitution and Bargaining Convention, and appointed Benefit Representative for UAW Local 31 in 2010. She retired from General Motors on August 1, 2024 and remained active with the GM retirees.

Norma cared for everyone she knew and was the anchor for the Moran family. She supported loved ones through the various hardships, losses, and celebrations. Her hobbies included spoiling her granddaughters, happy hours with her closest girlfriends, and spending time with her family. Her favorite moments included drenching herself in Hawaiian Tropic and laying on a sunny beach. She enjoyed watching bad action movies, the Hallmark Channel and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs!

She is survived by her two sons, Porfirio Jr. and Louis Joseph; daughter-in-law, Andrea Rose; two granddaughters, Maricela Soledad and Alicia Helen; brothers, Frank, Joe Louis, Toribio (Elizabeth), Jose Osvaldo, Ramiro (Maria Cecilia), Jose Armando (Susan), Anthony (Lisa); and sister, Melba, and many nieces and nephews and extended family.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Porfirio Sr.; father, Espiridion and mother, Soledad; brothers, Aurthur and Espiridion Jr.; father-in-law, Clemente and mother-in-law, Ramona; brother-in-law, Joseph and sisters-in-law, Catalina, Antionette, Pauline and Kathy; and niece, Olivia.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 20, 2025, from 4pm-7pm with a Rosary held at 6:30 at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 9:30am at St. Elizabeth Parish, 2 E. 75th St., Kansas City, MO.

Memorial donations in Norma’s memory may be directed to The University of Kansas Cancer Institute or the American Cancer Society.