Norma Gomez

She was born on January 13, 1958, in Tulia, Texas, to Felix Gonzalez and Mary Herrera Gomez. She was the second of three children.

She moved with her family to Arizona at the age of seven and her family says she carried her love for her home state of Texas in her heart throughout her lifetime. She attended school in Maricopa where she made several lifelong friendships.

In 1984 she visited Ajo for the first time. She was fond of recalling this initial visit, stating that the moment she saw the Ajo Plaza she knew she had found her home. She made the move to Ajo a short time later and for the next 41 years Ajo remained her chosen community and the historic Ajo Plaza was her favorite place in the world, said her family.

"A natural leader, Norma was known as a go-getter, a community organizer, and a disability and victim's rights advocate. She was passionate about finding and maintaining resources in her community. When she found a gap in services, she worked diligently to get it filled. She was tireless in her efforts, resourceful in her approach, and committed to enriching the lives of those around her," said her family. "Her legacy is one of community service, mutual aid, inclusiveness, and dignity of choice."

Throughout her time in Ajo, she worked or volunteered with numerous organizations in Ajo and the surrounding area including Ajo Unified School District, Project PPEP. Tohono O'odham Nation Division of Special Needs AZYP, ISDA, Sheltering Ajo.

Desert Senita Community Health Centerboard, and Pima County Victim Services.

Among her many accolades she was honored as Ajo Woman of the Year by the Xi Gamma Pi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi in May, was the grand marshal of the 4th of July Parade in 2022, and was honored as an Art Hero by ON Media in 2018.

She had many hobbies, including line dancing, sewing, cooking, and thrift store shopping. "It was a running joke that she was always on the hunt for another piece of bargain furniture to paint turquoise. No matter how busy the day had been or how ill she was feeling, she had time to stop at Goodwill just for a quick look around," said her family.

Her greatest labor of love was her dance group, Ballet Folklórico de Ajo, which she founded in 1985. The group combined her love for music, dancing, sewing, and community engagement. Her first two members were her daughter Lisa and son Danny. She collaborated with the local school and soon large groups of children were learning Mexican folk dances in the Curley School auditorium after school. All of her classes were free of charge and over the years she welcomed members of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience. A highlight of the Ballet Folklorico de Ajo experience was the annual trip to perform at the Arizona State Fair in October.

She sewed over a hundred Folklórico dresses and sashes for members of her group. She never used a pattern and adapted her design to meet the needs of the dancers.

"She was very proud when one of her dancers. Bridget, became her sewing protegee learning to make folklorico dresses in her design," said her family. "As her dancing group aged, Norma delighted in having several generations from the same family performing together. Her greatest joy was watching her children and grandchildren dance. And when illness made it impossible for her to carry on as director of Ballet Folklórico de Ajo, she bestowed the honor on her eldest grandson, D.J."

Her family will remember her for her courage, enduring spirit, unique fashion sense, and her love for dogs, George Strait, and Knock Kneed Lobster.

She was preceded in death by her brother Ernest Gomez.

She is survived by her children and their partners, Elizabeth & Enrique, Daniel and Julie, and Marisa and Jason; by her 17 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; by her parents Felix and Mary: by her sister Corinna; and by her nephew Emilio. She is also survived by Adam Mullins and Buck Sandoval, whom she considered sons, her dear friend and caretaker Michelle Valisto, and her beloved canine companion Gretel.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Barb's Dog Rescue, Cactus Cupboard, or Kord's Angels.

Services will be held on September 13. Rosary will be at 1 p.m. at Douglass Funeral Home 11 W. Pajaro St. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Plaza Recreation Hall.