Norma Allen Seiler, age 88, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2012 in Houston, Texas, after a long and fulfilling life of family, travel and service to others. Born September 1, 1924 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to parents Hubert Norman and Ester Holder Allen. Norma was preceded in death by her husband Robert Edward Seiler and son Robert Allen Seiler. She is survived by sons; Glenn and Richard, daughter, Suzanne and cherished grandchildren; Scott Barrows, Thomas Barrows and Nathan Seiler.
Her family moved to Asheville, where she spent joyful childhood years in the creeks and hills of North Carolina with family members, in particular her sister Barbara. Her family moved to Gulfport, Mississippi, in 1936, and Norma graduated from Gulfport High School in May 1941. Following high school, Norma attended Perkinston Junior College for two years, graduating in 1943. She supported the nation's wartime efforts as a volunteer during World War II. She entered Texas Christian University in Fort Worth in 1946, where she met ex-Navy serviceman and classmate Bob Seiler. They were married at the university church on August 31, 1948, then returned to school for a final year. Norma graduated from TCU in May 1949 with a BA in English. She taught 5th grade at Morningside Elementary while Bob earned his MBA at TCU. After his graduation in August 1951, they moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Daughter Suzanne was born in August 1953, just days before Bob graduated from the University of Alabama with a PhD in Business Administration. The family then moved to Oxford, Ohio, where Bob joined the staff of Miami University. Son Robert Allen was born in 1954 in Ohio.
In 1955 the Seiler family set up residence in Austin, Texas where Bob taught at the University of Texas. The family soon expanded to include son Glenn Edward in 1956 and son Richard Dale in 1958. In 1965 the family moved to Lima, Peru, where Norma supported her husband in his efforts to establish an after-graduate program in financial accounting through the US Agency for International Development. Returning to Texas in 1967, Norma nurtured and taught blind and visually impaired children in the Spring Branch and Houston independent School Districts, while raising her four children and serving as an active and valued member of Memorial Drive Christian Church.
Norma loved the challenge and excitement of experiencing foreign cultures and learning foreign languages. After her children departed for college, she accompanied her husband Bob on teaching opportunites in Quayaquil (Ecuador), Madrid (Spain) and in China. Norma consistently provided selfless attention, assistance and support to those less fortunate than herself. She was especially devoted to the cause of low-income housing, conributing countless hours of service to Habitat for Humanity, the Westside Homeless Partnership and Memorial Assistance Ministry. She was a familiar and beloved presence in the Memorial area Whispering Oaks neighborhood, where she lived from 1967 until her death.
A memorial service will be held at Memorial Drive Christian Church at 11750 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas, 77024 on Thursday, November 8, 2012 2:30pm. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Norma Seiler may be made to Memorial Drive Christian Church, or to a charity of choice.
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