STERN, Norma (Smiley)

Norma Smiley Stern, born in Dallas on December 9, 1918, died on in Plano. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-six years, Milton Leo Stern; her son N. John Stern of Toronto, Canada; her parents Eli and Rose Smiley of Dallas; and her brother Sidney Smiley of Dallas. She is survived by her daughters Connie Yaffe (and husband Martin) of Frisco, Johelen Stern of Dallas, and Debbie Hammer (and husband Louis) of Zichron Yaakov, Israel; her grandchildren Michael Yaffe of Dallas, David Yaffe (and wife Amy Leal) of Syracuse, N.Y., Yedida Most of Dallas, Gabriella Bass (and her husband Gabriel) of Tsur Hadassah, Israel, and Meir Hammer of Redmond, Wash.; and her great-grandchildren Tifarah Bass and Aryeh Bass. Her formative education was at Forest Avenue High School (class of 1935), Oklahoma College of Women and Southern Methodist University (class of 1939). In 1947, she was a founding member of B'nai B'rith Women in Dallas, and its President in 1987-89. She was also a charter member of the Dallas Brandeis Women's Study Group, to which she gave much energy for over 50 years. At various times, she also served as program chairman for Dallas Jewish Home for the Aged, and for the Sisterhood of Temple Emanu-El of Dallas, where she was a member since 1936. During her Toronto years in the 1950s and 1960s, she was President of Hadassah Women's Organization, and a charter member and program chairman of the women's organizations for both Baycrest Hospital and Haifa's Technion University (Israel), as well as zone chairman for United Way of Toronto. The family is so grateful to the wonderful caring staff of Silverado Senior Living, Plano. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the Silverado Foundation, 27121 Calle Arroyo, Suite 2220, San Juan Capistrano, California, 92675 or to the Jewish organization of your choice. Graveside services will be held at Shearith Israel Cemetery on Dolphin Road on Sunday, March 9, 2008, at 3:00 p.m., Rabbi David Stern officiating. Dignity Memorial Sparkman Hillcrest 7405 W. Northwest Hwy. Dallas (214) 363-5401.