Norma Gail Hale passed away on November 18, 2021 in Plano, Texas at the age of 84 after a brief illness. Norma was born December 10, 1934 in Dallas. The youngest of three siblings, she lived almost her entire life in and around Dallas. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1956, and then attended The University of Texas at Austin.
While a freshman at UT Austin, in September 1956 Norma met S. Edward Hale, Jr. on a blind date. She and Ed eloped in December 1956, and Norma quit school and went to work to help pay for college and Law School for Ed. The first of Ed and Norma’s three sons, Thomas Edward Hale, was born in December 1957. After Ed’s graduation from Law School in 1960, they settled in Dallas and raised a family. Her son David Wayne Hale was born in 1962, and her son Robert Brent Hale was born in 1963.
Norma was devoted to her family, especially her three sons for whom she was their unfailing cheerleader and champion. Much like her leaving college to support Ed, Norma stopped working outside the home in order to be there each day when her kids came home from school. For the rest of her life she was always there for them.
Norma loved to entertain, particularly during the Holidays. She loved the beach, and always looked forward to and cherished the family’s annual vacation to Destin, Florida with the Robert J. “Bob” Farquharson Family of Dallas, which began in the 1960’s and continued for almost 30 years. An eternal optimist, she always believed that things happened for a reason and that at the end of the day everything would be ok. She always preached “gratitude” to her sons, for all of life’s gifts. Mostly she just loved to laugh, with her family and her friends about all that life had to offer.
Norma was particularly close to her sister, Martha Uland. The “Mashburn Sisters” would get together regularly for lunch and shopping in Dallas, and later in Rockwall, becoming well-known in the places they frequented. Together, Norma and Martha addressed all Mashburn family matters and planned and managed Mashburn family gatherings, being affectionately known as the “Christmas Committee”. They were inseparable. Norma’s beloved sister Martha passed away in 2018, and Norma missed her terribly.
In the past several years, Norma suffered from the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. While it greatly affected her short-term memory, Norma never lost her sense of optimism or of gratitude for life’s blessings. She also never stopped laughing about life in general.
Norma is survived by her son David Hale of McKinney, her son Robert Hale and his wife Trudy of Plano, grandchildren Jamie Gallagher and her husband Joe of Phoenix, Jarod Hale of Phoenix, Jon David Hale and his wife Ashley of Dallas, Jordan Hale of Dallas, Sydney Hale of Dallas, Lauren Hale of Plano, daughter-in-law Tina Hale of Phoenix, two great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Ed, her husband of 64 years, her parents, Thomas O. Mashburn and Clota Marie Mashburn, her brother Thomas C. Mashburn, her sister, Martha N. Uland, and her son Thomas Edward Hale. The family is holding a graveside service for Norma on Saturday, November 27 at Grove Hill Cemetery in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
A graveside service for Norma will be held Saturday, November 27, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Grove Hill Memorial Park, 3920 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, TX 75228.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.andersonclaytongonzalez.com for the Hale family.
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