NORMA GENE SIEGEL
08/14/1931 - 05/13/2023
Norma Gene Siegel died March 13, 2023 at the age of 91, surrounded by those she loved the most, in the home where she lived with her family for nearly 60 years.
Norma was a lifelong Houstonian, born August 14, 1931 to parents Lillian and Mitchell Stein. After San Jacinto High School, she attended Rice Institute, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. She was active in the drama society and Rice Hillel and served as a History department grader. There, she met a PhD candidate newly arrived from New Jersey named Stanley Siegel. They married in 1953, a few months after graduation, and went on to share seven wonderful decades of life together.
Norma was entirely devoted to her husband, their three sons, and her wider family. She was the glue and historian for a large family of cousins in Texas and repeatedly, if quietly, made sure those in need—especially family members with disabilities and Holocaust survivors—were well cared-for through financial support and unflagging personal attention.
Second only to her love of family was her ardent and lifelong support of Jewish causes and the State of Israel, born during her 17th year.
She was a third generation member of Congregation Beth Yeshurun, where she taught Sunday school, joined the sisterhood, headed the education committee, served on the Board of Trustees, and joyfully worshipped and socialized most Saturdays.
She was a lifetime member of Hadassah and Women’s American ORT and supported the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
At home, she was a sharp and avid reader of history and literature, an engaging conversationalist, and a vivacious hostess. She and Stanley were perennial season-ticket holders to the symphony, opera, and Alley Theater. She loved nothing more than antiquing in New Orleans, gardening on her own well-tended patio, and settling in for Masterpiece Theater. Creating an interesting and beautiful home was important to her, and she succeeded masterfully. Everyone who knew her will remember her intellect, eloquence, old-school southern charm, and irrepressible love of puns.
Norma was predeceased by her beloved brother Wilbur (Sarah) Stein, her loving sister Lorraine (David) Hoppenstein, and nephews Norman Stein and Howard Hoppenstein. She is survived by her husband Stanley and their three sons, Charles (Lisa) Siegel, David (Loren) Siegel, and Martin (Bettina) Siegel, as well as five grandchildren: Rachel, Evan, Rose, Lily and Asher. Her family is immensely grateful for the care and companionship provided in her final years by Elsy Bonilla, Claudia Bonilla and Christina Vique, and Norma loved them dearly.
A graveside service was held privately on March 16, 2023 at Beth Yeshurun Cemetery in Houston, and a memorial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial donations to Congregation Beth Yeshurun or Hadassah.