Norma Lee Dean

Norma Lee Dean, 81, of Norman, Oklahoma formerly of East Alton, Illinois, passed away Saturday, May 7, 2016 in Norman.

Norma was born on November 16, 1934 in Wood River, IL. She graduated from East Alton-Wood River Community High School and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. A passionate student, Norma went on to earn several advanced degrees and certifications from SIU-E. She worked as a speech and language pathologist and classroom teacher for children with special needs, retiring from the Alton Public School District in 1994.

Norma is survived by her husband and grade school sweetheart, Floyd Dean. They were married on April 18, 1953 in Wood River. She was active with children, youth and women’s activities at Wood River First Assembly of God Church; volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader and held leadership positions with the American Association of University Women.

In her retirement years, Norma enjoyed travel, relocation to Colorado Springs, winters in Florida, painting, choir, orchestra and spending time with her grandchildren. In 2014, she moved to Norman, Oklahoma to be near family while facing declining health.

She is survived by her daughters Christi Dean Moore and husband Francis of Norman, Oklahoma and Patrice Dean Lawson and husband Jon of Yorkville, Illinois; grandchildren Griffin Parks, Olivia Lawson and David Lawson. One sister survives, Maxine Burns, of Waynesville, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Minnie Gimmeson, sisters Ruth Dreisbach and Velma Hutte, and brother Bill Crews.