Norma Hough's Obituary
Norma Faye Hough (Sweet) (Ball) 94, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, August 24, 2013 at her home in Lakewood, WA. Norma was born May 5, 1919 in Walla Walla, WA. and moved to Tacoma shortly after graduating from High School. In 1940 she married Tacoma resident Eugene (Gene) Sweet. They lived in Tacoma and University Place until his unexpected death in 1974. Later in life, she married long-time friend Gilbert Hough and they were able to spend nearly 14 happy years together in their Lakewood home. While her children were growing up, Norma was very active being “ the Mom” and participated in PTA, Scouting, and Bluebirds. At the same time Norma, always a knitter and crocheter, became a nationally known knitting machine instructor, clothing designer, and pioneer in giving seminars in the U.S. and other countries. She was also an author and published a series of knitting “how to” books under the NorBon banner. She has a multitude of friends throughout the nation who will grieve her passing. These are the facts of Norma’s life. Her husband Gilbert adds his personal knowledge of Norma as a person and wife. “A more loving, supportive woman I could not wish for. She had very firm ideas as to what a wife should be and although her physical pain started seven years ago and slowly worsened over the years until it became unbearable, she continued to do all that she could to be that ideal. She never gave up on anything if she knew in her heart that it was the right thing to do. She loved her children and grand-children more than they will ever know. She was generous almost to a fault. We agreed that we were soul-mates and another 14 years would not have been long enough for me”.
Norma was predeceased by her parents Joseph B. Ball and Nellie Peck Ball of Iowa and was very proud that her mother had crossed the plains in a covered wagon. She was also predeceased by her brothers Lowell and Walter Ball and her sister Elba Doty. Norma is survived by her daughter Dani Kirk (Ernest) of Tacoma, and sons William Sweet (Deb) of Surprise, AZ. and David Sweet (Margaret) of Tacoma; seven grandchildren, and many loving great grandchildren.
A funeral service to honor Norma’s life will be held on Friday August 30, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the Mt. View Celebration of Life Building, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., Lakewood
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. Remembrances may be shared at www.mountainviewtacoma.com
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