Norma Jean Hoffer, 83, of Allentown, passed away Sunday, April 30, 2017. She is the widow of the late Arnold H. Hoffer. The couple was married 21 years.
Born in Erie, PA, daughter of the late George Eldon Musser and Florence McAllister Musser., she was a graduate of Lawrence Park High School. She was a devoted wife and mother and upon Arnold’s passing, Norma worked from 1981 until 2013 at Josh Early Candies serving customers and making candy. She was a member of Jordan Lanes women’s bowling… Norma was a proud Rosette and loved her bowling lady friends. She enjoyed golfing at the Lehigh Country Club. Norma served as a Lehigh County election official for Lower Macungie Township and served tax collector Linda Dench.
Norma loved life. She cherished people and sought to give advice that would help them advance their relationships, their careers and themselves.
Norma bowled, loved baseball, relished shopping and deal hunting. One of her most favorite enjoyments was asking people questions, listening and telling a story of wisdom or joy or a successful pursuit. She sewed, she cooked, she canned. She made clothes and Raggedy Anne dolls with her friends Susie and Ellie that delighted 100s of children. She gardened, she did crossword, she crafted.
Norma golfed at Lehigh Country Club and traveled extensively, especially to Canada to visit her husband’s family in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba. A woman who loved engaging with others, Norma lit up when engaged in a one-on-one conversation, sitting in a group, greeting strangers or soliciting new friends.
Her solicitous nature gave her the rare opportunity to, after a loving and successful marriage to her husband Arnold Hoffer for 21 years, meet and build a life partnership with Ray Shoemaker of the Lehigh Valley. Ray was Norma’s friend, consigliere, partner in crime, and love for many many years after her beloved Arnie’s passing. Ray and Norma picked each other up as Ray would buy chocolates and Norma would sell Ray chocolates at Josh Early Candies.
Josh Early Candies was a hive of friendships and home for Norma as well as a trusted employer up to the end of her service to Josh Early Candies. Parting never comes easy and the years of impeccable service to Josh Early’s family and business and customers came to a bittersweet ending as Norma needed to do something different day-to-day.
Surviving are a daughter Carolyn Renae Hoffer Francis, a son Dana Bryan Hoffer; brothers Raymond and Edwin Musser; and grandchildren Ryne Scott Francis, Kylie Nicole Francis, Alec Robert Francis, Shayna Frances Hoffer, Aaron Arnold Hoffer and Noah Daniel Hoffer.
She was preceded in death by a son Mark Eldon Hoffer who passed in May 2015.
Norma loved her husband Arnold, her friend Ray, her brothers and sisters-in-laws, her nieces and nephews, her grandchildren, her son-in-law, her daughter-in-law, her sons and her special daughter. Norma loved life and lived life lovingly.
Mom, thank you for being you, touching us all in your so very special way and gracing us with the goodness and care of the so very wonderful person we know you to be. Your loving friends and family.
In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to Second Harvest Food Bank, 6969 Silver Crest Rd, Nazareth, PA 18064, (610) 434-0875, www.shfblv.org
A Memorial Services will be held in June 2017 at a day and time to be determined, and posted on social media and communicated among all friends and family.
Offer Condolence for the family of Norma J. Hoffer
Print Obituary & Condolences
Leave Your Condolence