March 18, 1921 – Oct. 30, 2014

Norma Hall Bowman, 93, of La Crescenta passed away on Thursday, Oct. 30 in Glendale.

Norma Smith Hall was born in Mound City, Missouri on March 18, 1921 to parents Clarence Thomas Hall and Helen Smith Hall. Her two older brothers, Clarence Thomas Hall, Jr. and John Charles Hall, enjoyed the arrival of their little sister. The Hall family lived on a 360-acre farm outside Mound City, where they raised alfalfa, hogs and chickens. Norma was included in the daily activities of her older brothers. All three would ride together on one horse. She once nearly fell off a pony when her brothers forgot to cinch the saddle. She held on; her brothers laughed, her dad did not.

Her favorite animals from the farm days were Mike, a Boston bulldog; Jimmy, a runt piglet she befriended; and Midget, her pony.

In 1933, due to the dustbowl and the Depression, the family moved to South Pasadena, California. Norma attended South Pasadena High School and played alto saxophone in the marching band. She marched in the Rose Parade in 1938 and 1939.   She graduated in June 1939 then took courses at Pasadena Business College in accounting. Before completing the accounting program, she got a job as cashier at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in the Bank of America building at Broadway and Brand in Glendale. Throughout her life, she worked as an accountant and bookkeeper for several small businesses.

In the lobby cantina of the Bank of America building Norma met one of the bank tellers, Bill Bowman. The two quickly decided they were meant for each other.  Norma married William Ross Bowman on Aug. 30, 1941 in Glendale. They had two boys, Ross William Bowman and Chris Alexander Bowman. Norma and her family moved to Rockland Place in La Cañada in 1952. In 1963, needing more space, the family moved to Cross Street in La Crescenta. Norma and Bill resided there for 50 years.

Norma was active in the PTA and Cub Scouts when her boys were young. Throughout her life, Norma especially enjoyed gardening. She shared the orange and plum harvests with neighbors and friends. After her retirement, Norma, her husband, and her brother John Hall joined Foot-Loose, a walking group that explored various parts of Los Angeles.

She enjoyed travelling, celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary with Bill on a cross-country train trip that circled through the northern and southern states. She loved to keep close with family and friends.

In her later years, Norma embraced social networking, keeping in touch with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren through email and Facebook. She and Bill celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2011.

Norma moved to Twelve Oaks Lodge in Montrose in 2012. When Twelve Oaks closed, she moved to Solheim Lutheran Home in Eagle Rock in 2013. Norma made many friends in both retirement communities.

Norma is survived by her two sons and her extended family – daughters-in-law  Helena Bowman and Catalina McIsaac Bowman; four grandchildren – Olwen Skogerson with husband Paul, Cristal Burford with husband Tyrus, Vivianne Bowman and Conor Bowman; and five great-grandchildren – Caen Skogerson, Alexandria Johnson with father Tracy, Anais Skogerson and Naia Skogerson and Harlan Burford.     A memorial service is pending.

Norma was a gregarious country girl at heart. She loved people and animals, with a special place in her heart for dogs. She enjoyed a healthy and happy life of 93 years.