Norma Jean Andres

Norma Andres, beloved sister, aunt, dear friend, and co-worker, passed after a 2-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was a lover of life, sports, and travel and a vibrant presence--imparting wisdom, sharing laughter, and spreading love to all whose lives she touched. Norma was born to Pacita and Roman Andres. She was predeceased by her parents and by her beloved niece Megan. She was an athlete during her years and Chippewa Valley High School and an alumna of Wayne State University, having earned a Bachelor's degree in Special Education and a Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling. She was also a proud member of the Delta Zeta sorority, Epsilon Sigma chapter. During her WSU years she was involved with feminist and peace activities on campus. She became an Emergency Medical Technician, due to her longstanding love of science and medicine, and later got a position as a Medical Attendant at Detroit General Hospital, having gotten a top score on the city Civil Service exam. Following a layoff, she broke gender barriers in the trades by obtaining a job as a water utility worker maintenance repair person for the city of Detroit. During that period she participated in a visit to the USSR to meet tradeswomen there. In 1985 she was hired by the State of Michigan and worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor on behalf of people with disabilities. She headed the Project Hope program in Detroit for HIV aids, and worked with the Kidney Foundation. Her extraordinary work on behalf of her clients was so appreciated that the Michigan Rehabilitation Association named their annual Counselor of the Year Award for Norma Andres in perpetuity. She is survived by her brothers Glenn (Sue) and Ernest, sister-in-law Sue, niece Melissa and Melissa's husband Sam, and scores of close friends and their families. Contributions in her name may be made to: The Ruth Ellis Center: http://www.ruthelliscenter.org/ A memorial service will be held for Norma on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 12 noon(promptly), with a reception and celebration of her life to follow. The location is the VFW Hall at 17075 Anita, Fraser, MI. 48026.

Norma Jean Andres

September 27, 1949 - February 1, 2014