NORMA R. HOFFMAN -- born "Norma Jean Rowden" in Myrtle Springs, Texas on March 8, 1930. She passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 in Los Angeles, California from a heart attack, after suffering from Alzheimer's.
Born to parents, Amanda Lucille Dillard and Eunist Homer Rowden, Sr., the family moved to Mineola, Texas where Norma was raised with her older brother E. H., Jr. "Jack" and younger brother Hubbard Allen "Hub", until the age of twelve, at which time they moved to Dallas. Before leaving Mineola, she was named Valedictorian of her elementary school.
After high school at Woodrow Wilson in Dallas, Norma spent two years in Draunds Business College before going to work as a GS-1 entry level Federal Government employee. This marked the beginning of her thirty-five year career. She married Harold W. Hoffman in 1956. They became members of First United Methodist Church shortly thereafter, where they joined the Choir and were inspired by the sermons of Dr. Robert Goodrich. They gave birth to their only daughter, Kimberly Jean Hoffman, on October 26, 1958.
Norma was ahead of her time, in her ability to successfully combine two of her loves, motherhood and working. Within the government, she rose to GS-14 where she managed the Office of Personnel Management. Norma was recognized for her outstanding contribution as Coordinator of the Southwest Regional Selection Panel for the 1982-1983 White House Fellowship Program. She also had the honor of being one of the last people to shake the hand of the late President John F. Kennedy.
After retiring in 1986, she moved to Los Angeles to be with her daughter, Kim and her son-in-law, Mark Warwick. They worked together in their architecture and construction firm for two years, but the pull of Texas soil got the better of Norma and she returned to her beloved Forest Hills home in Dallas.
Norma's favorite question was "How can I help?" A dedicated caregiver, she nursed both her mother, father and younger brother, Hub, who passed away august 7, 2002. Norma's passion was gardening, a trait inherited from her father. A day spent digging in her garden was nearest to heaven for her.
Special thanks goes to the compassionate people at Prestonwood Court Assisted Living and Memory Care of Plano, Texas, which became Norma's home away from home for the last three years before coming to Los Angeles earlier this year. Special notes of gratitude go to my husband, Mark, for all his help in her care along with dear companion, RuthAnn Redick. Sheila and Rob Merritt, L.P. and Don Webb, Gloria Lovvorn and Carol James are noted for their dedicated friendships to her, especially during her days with Alzheimer's. Norma exuded dignity, courage and wisdom throughout all the days of her life and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Kimberly Warwick and her adoring son-in-law Mark Warwick of Los Angeles; her sister-in-law Madelyn Rowden of Kleberg, Texas; her nieces, Sheila Merritt of Mesquite, Texas, Kathy Connor of Arlington, Texas and Jana Glod of Plano, Texas; her nephews Lew Rowden of Kleberg, Texas and Shane Rowden of Irving, Texas. Her great-nieces Amanda Pringle of Quantico, Virginia, Jackie Heironimus of Dallas, Texas, Lindsay Pease of Seattle, Washington and great-nephews Brian Rowden of Arlington, Texas and Sam Merritt of Mesquite, Texas.
Rev. Andy Stoker will lead services for Norma Hoffman on Wednesday, December 21st at 10:00 am, Dickerson Chapel, First United Methodist Church of Dallas, Texas. Interment will follow at Grove Hill Cemetery, 4118 Samuell Blvd., Dallas, Texas. Following, there will be a lunch in her honor in the Shakespeare room at Highland Park Cafeteria, 1200 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, Texas. Donations to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden are appreciated in lieu of flowers.
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