Norma Bell's Obituary
Norma Jean Ruby Bell passed away peacefully on August 24, 2011 in Palo Alto, CA after a long and courageous fight with Alzheimer’s disease. Born on May 18, 1934, Norma was as one of nine children raised by Merle Hugh Lyon and Mary Ella Lyon of Brawley, CA. Norma married her husband Ken Bell in 1962, and they settled in San Mateo, CA where they raised two sons. Ken feels blessed that Norma was patient, understanding, and supportive of his career in the navy, which required him to be away at sea for long stretches. She was an excellent navy wife, and always happy to counsel other navy wives to help them cope while their husbands were away on duty, as well as to socialize with them to keep spirits high.Norma served her community for over thirty years while working for Safeway grocery stores ' first in Belmont and then in San Mateo. Her kind, vivacious personality and dedicated service were appreciated by customers and co-workers alike. The void she left behind was only able to be filled with bar code scanners and super computers. Norma believed in a God that had given her many blessings and comforted her in difficult times. Norma often reminded her family that to have a friend you must first be a friend, and she was. No one was a stranger, and no gave more of her time and attention to those she cared about. Norma enjoyed travel and, after retiring, she and Ken traveled extensively around the US in their motor coach. She took special joy in meeting up with friends in the Apollo Amigos motor coach group. Immediately upon return from any trip she loved to share her experiences in vivid detail, and was quite an engaging storyteller. She treasured her home and the times she shared in it with others. She knew how to make any event fun, and every holiday festive. Plus she was an amazing cook and gave tremendous dinner parties. Norma loved to dance, and was always the first on the dance floor and the last to leave. While pregnant with her first son she entered and won first place in a dance contest, and one of her favorite things was to line dance to “Elvira,” but she would give up any partner for a “Waltz Across Texas” in Ken’s arms.Norma will be enormously missed by her loving extended family ' husband of 49 years Ken Bell, sons Ken Bell Jr. (wife: Tess) of Palo Alto, CA and Garth Bell (wife: Michele) of San Tan Valley, AZ, and step-daughters Sharon Isackson (husband: Carl) of San Mateo, CA and Kimberly Bell of Salinas, CA ' as well as grandchildren Bryan, Ashley, Amanda, Alysse, Mia, Kyle, and Michaela, plus two great-grandsons. Also mourning her passing are her sisters Margaret and Dorothea, and her brothers Buddy and Charlie. Preceding her in death were her brothers Adrid, Earl, James, and Don. Norma will be laid to rest at a small private gathering of family. A public memorial service will be held on October 8th at 11am at Skylawn Memorial Park, located at Hwy 92 and Skyline Blvd in San Mateo, CA, where friends and family may pay their respects, with a reception on site to follow. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org, or to the charity of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Norma?
What’s a lesson you learned from Norma?
Share a story where Norma's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Norma you’ll never forget.
How did Norma make you smile?