SHEFF, Norma Jean

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona Sunday, September 16, 2012 Norma Russell Sheff December 10th 1936 to September 11th, 2012 Beloved artist, neighbor and mother Norma Russell Sheff died on September 11th in Flagstaff due to complications from leukemia. She was 75 years old. She was born Norma Jean Russell on December 10th, 1936 in Drumright, Oklahoma to Earl (“Dolph”) and Violet Russell. Her family headed west in the Dust Bowl as her father sought work in Oregon, California and Texas before coming to Northern Arizona. Earl Russell ran gas stations for Whiting Brothers and Norma grew up living and working along Route 66 in places like Bellemont and Lupton before the family settled in Flagstaff. She graduated from Flagstaff High School in 1955 and attended Northern Arizona University. At NAU, she met Norman Sheff and they were married in 1957. They were the only married couple named Norman and Norma most people had ever met, and it led to much amusement and sometimes confusion. They taught school in Page, Arizona in the early 1960’s during the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam. There, Norma gave birth to her first two children, son Clay and daughter Dancy. The family moved to New Zealand for more than a year before returning to Flagstaff. In 1967, she had her third child, Sand, in Flagstaff. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Tahlequah, Oklahoma. There, Norma was a teacher, artist, designer and newspaper columnist. In 1986, she returned west to the Ghost Ranch country of New Mexico. She lived in Chama, NM, teaching school south of there in the village of Tierra Amarilla for 10 years. Her fluency in Spanish made her an invaluable bilingual instructor. In 1999, she returned at last to “her mountains”, as she called the San Francisco Peaks. In Flagstaff, she was a member of several churches and organizations and a tireless volunteer. As well, she traveled extensively, going on many adventures down wild rivers. Her famous “soup kitchens” were attended by hundreds of people over the years and helped foster community and friendship among many in Flagstaff. Norma was a talented lifelong artist- a gifted painter, a published poet, and an extraordinary craftswoman. She made sculptures, pottery, and created a successful line of unique silver jewelry she named “Noki”, which is featured at galleries and shops throughout the southwest. She had a deep love for the land, and felt a heartfelt kinship with all its people. She worked for the causes of peace and justice. She was extraordinarily intelligent and capable of great feats of recall. She loved to laugh and bring people together. She saw the beauty in all God’s creation, and though her path wasn’t easy, she rarely complained. She lived life fully and with grace and dignity. Throughout Arizona, Oklahoma and New Mexico-and across the country- there are lives she’s changed, threads of love she’s woven. No words could ever do her life justice or express the gratitude and sorrow of those who loved her and have now lost her. She is with God, in whom she trusted. Our world has lost a brave and gentle soul. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Earl Adolphus and Violet Russell of Flagstaff, her brother Paul and by Norman. She is survived by her three children: Clay (with wife Cindy)of Madrid, NM, Dancy Sheff of Flagstaff, and Sand (with wife Sunnie) of Moab Utah. She is also survived by her brother John (with wife Sharon and daughter Rani) of Phoenix, her Aunt Mary O’Hara, cousins Kathy Lindstrom and Laura Weinstein, all of Flagstaff. She had two grandchildren, Chloe Porter (with great-grandaughter Syniyah Stingley) of Flagstaff and Nicholas Hastings Sheff. She is also survived by the hundreds of children she encouraged in years of teaching and the memories of all those who loved her. At her request, Norma’s ashes are to be taken to the mountains she loved, the sacred peaks of the Navajo and Hopi. The family will hold a private service. In lieu of flowers and cards, the family would ask those who wish to honor Norma to say a prayer for her beautiful spirit. We love you, Mom. “blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”--Matthew 5:7 This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.