Norma Anderson

Norma Hampshire Anderson ?Special Lady? BOUNTIFUL-Our beloved mother, grandmother, and friend to all, lovingly surrounded by her family, passed away Thursday evening, September 9, 2004. She would have said, ?I told you I was sick.? Norma Hampshire Anderson was born November 6, 1918, during the terrifying Influenza epidemic, in Mount Pleasant, Utah to Samuel Richard and Elna Cecilia Waldemar Hampshire. She was the youngest and the last of her siblings: Richard Dick, Lyle E. and Auer S. Hampshire. The family moved to Orem when she was seven years old. Norma attended Orem schools and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1936. She was very active in high school and was a member of the Posture Parade like the pep clubs of today. She participated in and played piano for many high school assemblies, plays and other activities. She played piano in a local dance band called ?The Gentlemen of Swing? she was the only girl in the band. Mom had a natural gift of playing piano by ear as well as sightreading. Later in life she used to say, ?Now, I play by smell.? Norma met her future husband, Paul Everice Anderson, in elementary school and knew each other throughout their school days. They were married in Orem on March 22, 1941 and lasted until Paul?s death in September 1996. She started taking dance at the age of thirteen from the local teacher, Rita Brooks. At the tender age of 15 she started teaching the children of Orem in her father?s barbershop. Norma and Paul moved to Bountiful in 1941 and then West Bountiful. She continued her chosen career of teaching tap, ballet and freestyle jazz for 65 years in the Davis county area until she retired at the age of 80 years young. Norma had her own accompanists: Mary Alice Eakle about 10 years and Virginia Mann 48 years. Norma was a member and vice-president of the local chapter of NADAA National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists, Inc. for more than 35 years. Her talents included playing piano, singing, poetry, and composing happy fun tunes that frequently found their way into her dance routines. Norma?s biggest natural talent was giving of herself to others. She loved teddy bears, beautiful sunsets, Sherrie?s homemade bread, roses, cats, any shade of blue, Louis L?Amour books, Western movies, good music and the family cabin at Fish Lake National Forest. Norma and her daughter Colleen spent six weeks together there this summer. Norma is well known and loved for her unselfish influence to her family, friends and thousands of associates and dance students. Norma?s Dance Studio was also very generous in donating thousands of dollars to Primary Medical Center, The Opportunity Center, and other charitable organizations. When asked what religion are you, she?d reply, with a grin on her face, ?I?m a heathen.? We called her the ?Dry Mormon? because she never would join. However, she spent countless hours working in the West Bountiful 1st Ward. She was Dance Director for some years and she wrote and directed many ward road shows. She enjoyed working with the youth and adults in the ward. Norma is survived by her four children: Larry Paul Anderson Chris, Las Vegas, NV; Connie Jean Anderson Mattioda Jim, Tucson, AZ; Colleen Anderson, West Bountiful; and Sherrie Lynn Anderson Scott Canby, Lehi, UT; her two grandchildren are Lori Faith Merritt Bill, Tucson, AZ; and Katelyn Ann Scott, Lehi, UT; nieces and nephews. Her parents, two brothers, one sister, and her husband preceded her in death. Thank you Elon Widdison and Shelley Argyle for being devoted visiting teachers and friends; J. Dell Holbrook and Wes Argyle, home teachers, and Jeanne and Evan Cope classmate and friends forever. We?d like to include her many friends, former dance students and associates but there are way too many to name. The family wishes to express our appreciation to dear friends, relatives and Marie Jensen from VistaCare and others who gave tender service to Norma. ?Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.? We will miss her quick wit, humble spirit, and darling sense of humor. We love you Norma, friend, Mom and Grandmom! Norma and family would love it if you could donate your time or money to Primary Children?s Medical Center in her honor. Take an old person to lunch once a week like Norma did with her late friends. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 14, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, where friends may call Monday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and again Tuesday morning from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment-Orem City Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com. Drive safely.