Norma T. Ziegler
Our mother passed peacefully on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Norma was born in Red Bluff, CA on August 23, 1925 to Leslie Hans and Dora Trippe Hans. Les had a career at PG&E and the family was relocated fairly often around the Bay area. During Norma’s childhood in the 30’s, Les took the family on an adventurous driving tour across to Texas and then down to Mexico City. One of Norma’s proudest childhood moments, was when at 15 years of age she and a high school chum climbed to the summit of Half Dome. After high school, Norma attended secretarial school in Redwood City.
Norma met our dad, Bill Ziegler, in Portland while he was recovering from a wound received in Italy during WWII. At 22 years of age, they fell in love and were were married. They moved to the L.A. area where Dad attended Chouinard Art Institute. They made lifelong friends and had two children, Tom and Jan. One sunny day, on a drive up the coast, they discovered Santa Barbara and decided that this was where they wanted to raise their family.
In 1958 they bought a house in the Hope School district of Santa Barbara and Norma and Bill made it their permanent home. She was the last of the original home owners on Maricopa Drive.
Norma’s greatest love was her family, friends, neighborhood and community. She was a “rock” and a surrogate mom to many — always caring, never wavering, she had a smile and a greeting for everyone. Both Norma and Bill always believed in the goodness of people.
After retiring from an office career with Smith, Faulk and Caesar Insurance Co., Norma became a driver, then a board member for Meals on Wheels, a volunteer with Recording for the Blind, as well as selflessly assisting elderly and disabled friends whom she met while “driving meals”. She traveled the world with Elder Hostel and other local tour groups and visited Guatemala and the Yucatan with Jan and her husband, Mark. She enjoyed her five pals, the “walking ladies” who walked and talked through many years of urban hikes. Later, she valued her friendships at Vista Del Monte Fitness Center and Adult Ed. And importantly, she retained her wry sense of humor throughout her life.
Our family thanks the extraordinary people at Sarah House, Visiting Nurses and her longtime family physician, Dr. Kirk Gilbert.
Norma was predeceased by her husband, Bill Ziegler, cartoonist and treasured friend to many, who died in 1993.
Norma is survived by her daughter and son in law, Jan Ziegler and Mark Walker (Santa Barbara); son and daughter in law Tom and Jill Ziegler (Flagstaff AZ); grandsons, Stuart Ziegler (Mesa AZ) and John Ziegler (Lincoln CA); great-granddaughter Sofia Ziegler; Tulum Dothee (Chris Booth) of Rough and Ready CA. She is missed by the family dog Pixel, with whom she had a special bond.
See photos of Norma’s life: Here Please post your own memories and photos on the Tribute Wall and remember her with a smile.