Norma Lee Hedrick Hall

The world became a little dimmer on May 27, 2023, when Norma Lee Hedrick Hall died peacefully surrounded by family. Her faith in God was strong, she lived her faith in action daily, and she is now at peace and in a better place.

Norma was born in Knoxville, Iowa on October 31, 1933 to Havard and Dorothy Hedrick. Her memories of her youth and growing up in Ames, Iowa brought her great joy. She met the love of her life, G. Richard (Dick), in seventh grade and they dated through high school. Her mother insisted she complete her college degree before she could marry so she graduated from Iowa State College with a Major in Applied Art and Home Economics and married Dick in December 1954. Norma was a child of the Depression and could create something from nothing. She was a wonderful artist creating many kinds of art including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and jewelry in part due to her creative and curious nature. She was a lifelong learner and never stopped asking questions. She wanted to be and was the best wife, mother, caregiver, and friend. She lived in many different places and had some wonderful experiences while building her family. Settling in Tucson, Arizona in 1969, she loved the desert as her home and called it that for fifty years. She had an extraordinarily positive outlook and will be missed by all who knew her. She loved and appreciated all people and found beauty in nature. She adored bright colors, especially red. She embodied happiness, kindness, supportiveness, graciousness, and love. She cherished her family above all. She never wavered from her belief that love conquers and cures all.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of fifty-three years, George Richard Hall (Dick); and her parents, Havard Hedrick and Dorothy Hardin Hedrick. She is survived by sons, Mark Hall (Frank Bohlander), David Hall (Loretta Huss), and Steven Hall (Kitty Anderson); daughter, Susan Wells (Jim); nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; brothers, Jerry Hedrick (Karel), Roger Hedrick (Yaling), and Dan Hedrick (Riley); brother-in-law, Don Hall (Sharon); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family, friends and neighbors. A Celebration of Norma’s life will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6565 E. Broadway in Tucson, Arizona with a reception to follow.

Her family is deeply grateful to all those who gave her tremendous care as her arduous Alzheimer’s Dementia progressed. Her condition taught us all appreciation for living in the moment and she taught us the moment is a happy place. Special appreciation to her caregivers at Right At Home and especially to dear sweet Ruby. Their time together was meaningful and remarkable. We also appreciate the staff at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas that filled her last days with extraordinary kindness and care-listening to the music she loved and singing along with it.

Love is her legacy. She showed all she encountered how to be good, kind, caring, loving and respectful. In lieu of flowers, please honor and remember Norma by showing or expressing love and by sharing her persistent optimism. Give flowers to someone, plant a tree, do something kind and unexpected for someone you love or a stranger, wear red, listen to or make music, spread joy, believe in hope, and share a smile. The world can be a better place, one smile at a time.

Dearest Norma (Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mom, Aunt, Grandma, GG, Great Aunt, Friend…)

– Your presence we miss, our memories we treasure, loving you always, forgetting you never.