Norma Darlene Smith

Norma was born on February 1, 1933, in West Point, NE, to parents Clay Westcott and Vida Warboys Westcott. Raised in Lincoln, NE and Holdrege, NE, she was a member of First United Methodist Church of Holdrege, an outstanding 4-H state contestant, and Holdrege High School cheerleader. She enrolled at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1951 and while there became a loyal and lifelong sister in the Chi Omega Fraternity, and she developed a love for the university and its football program that never faded.

Norma married the love of her life and childhood sweetheart, Donald Dee Smith, in 1955. They moved frequently as Don pursued instructional opportunities in higher education. Stops included Ashland, NE. where she taught home economics, Chapel Hill, NC, and Wooster, OH. They settled in Tallahassee in 1965 and Norma became a teacher at Gretchen Everhart School. In 1980, they moved to Iowa City, IA where she worked with the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce, before returning to Tallahassee in 2010. While Don worked for Florida State University and the University of Iowa they lived in London, England; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; and traveled extensively throughout Europe and Central Asia. Upon returning to the United States, they hosted many international students and their families creating lasting friendships across the world.

Norma was an active community member everywhere she lived through Newcomers Clubs, gourmet cooking groups, and sharing her exceptional sewing skills. While in Tallahassee, Norma and her family were active and supportive members of First Presbyterian Church and the local swim community through her work with TST, Tallahassee Swim Team. Her family and friends will always remember her welcoming smile, her big heart and her love of family and community!

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Smith; her son, Kevin Smith; her father, Clay Westcott; her mother, Vida Warboys Westcott; and her brother, Marvin Westcott.

Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Norma is survived by her daughter, Dawn Smith McConnell (Keith), of Troy, MI; her grandchildren who meant the world to her: Jordan Smith, of Tallahassee, FL; Trevor McConnell, of Valparaiso, IN; and Caitlyn Smith, of Anderson, SC; her sister, Artie Hobbs (Robert), of Kearney, NE; her sister-in-law, Vicki Westcott, of Holdrege, NE; and many loving nieces, nephews, and family members.

A Celebration of Norma’s Life will be held on February 20, 2023 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Dorothy B. Oven Park. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee, Nebraska 4-H, the National Foundation for Cancer Research, or the charity of your choice.