Norma Jean Burns

Age 82, deeply loved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Ann Arbor on August 1, 2012 with her son by her side. Norma was born on July 31, 1930, in Hastings, Michigan, to Jacob and Eva (Reid) Hollister, and graduated from Hastings High School in 1948, where she met the love of her life, James A. Burns. They married in 1951, just after Jim graduated from the University of Michigan, and together moved to Ann Arbor, where James Jr. arrived four years later. In addition to being a full-time mom, Norma was active in the Dicken Elementary and Slauson Jr. High PTOs, worked at the Ann Arbor Board of Realtors and a number of realty firms in town, and obtained her real estate license. She loved playing bridge, cheering on the Wolverines at every basketball home game, and traveling with her friends, and always had a smile for everyone. Norma was preceded in death by Jim Sr. and her parents. She is survived by her son Jim (Lori) and her granddaughter Rachel of Highland Park, Illinois, her brother Robert (Betty) Hollister of Hastings, Michigan and Spring Hill, Florida, her niece Mary Hollister (Frank Pergolizzi), her nephew David (Martha) Hollister, and two grandnephews. Following a private burial, a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 8 at 10:30 a.m. in Montieth Hall at the First Presbyterian Church, 1432 Washtenaw Avenue, in Ann Arbor. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Arbor Hospice Foundation, 2366 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.