Obituary of Norma Dorene Tropp

Norma was born 12/4/1927 and passed away 9/11/2010, surrounded by her loving family. In between those dates, she lived a gracious, stellar and admirable life filled with love and a steely resolve which led to amazing accomplishments. Her loving nature, intelligence, dedication to education and service to her family, friends and community earned her immense respect, admiration and love. She lived life with quiet passion and elegance, and a deep commitment to her conservative Midwest values. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 58 years, Robert Tropp who passed on January 1st of this year. Survivors include her son Ed, of Tacoma, daughter Vivian Price (Wade) of Redmond, granddaughters Stephanie and Andrea Price, and sister Ruth Dominguez (Fred) of San Diego. Norma was born in Danvers, Illinois. The pain of losing her father at an early age helped guide her to the helping profession of psychology, and watching her mother and adoptive father struggle through the depression years instilled in her a strong work ethic and a resolve to succeed. She was a devoted big sister to Ruth, who later said that Norma did more to raise her than even their own mother did. Ruth thought that her big sister was ‘the most perfect person I’ve ever known, was never mean to anyone, and accomplished so very much, while making it look so easy’. She overcame numerous obstacles in life. Twice in her childhood she suffered illnesses that she was not expected to survive. A marvelous student, she loved and excelled in schoolwork. Told that women did not need to attend college, and knowing that the family lacked funds for higher education, she quietly found the means to attend the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, working her way to a degree in psychology, and membership in the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Society for her academic achievements. Following her undergraduate degree, she went on to earn a masters degree at the University of Michigan, where she met Bob, who shortly became her husband. After their marriage, they relocated to Seattle. She and Bob worked at Ryther Children’s Cottage, where she used her education, skills and compassion to help others. After the birth of their first child, Ed, they moved to Chehalis and then to Fort Worden in Port Townsend, where Vivian was born. Norma spent these years as a devoted homemaker, superlative mother, and supporting the career of Bob, as he worked his way up in the Juvenile Rehabilitation system for the State of Washington. Soon after the family moved to Tacoma in 1963, Norma returned to work outside the home. She began teaching grade school for the Tacoma School District, and taking classes at the University of Puget Sound to enable her to become a school psychologist. The family moved to Olympia as Bob’s career progressed, and she worked as a psychologist for the Olympia School District until 1974. Norma then determined that she wanted to acquire a doctorate in psychology, and began the grueling task of commuting daily to the University of Washington in Seattle, where she successfully completed her doctoral degree. With her PhD, she then opened a private practice as a clinical psychologist in Olympia, from which she retired in 1992. Throughout her working career and beyond, she flawlessly managed her varied roles as a devoted, wife, mother, and professional, while also providing a high level of community service. Her involvement and leadership roles included organizations such as Zonta, Women’s Club, Orthopedic Guild, and the DAR. Norma also enjoyed serving as a docent at the Governor’s Mansion. She served in an incredible array of roles; Sunday school teacher, working in a cannery to put herself through school, Cub Scout Den Mother, teacher, psychologist, community volunteer, superb wife and mother, and all done with a grace and style which was unique to her. Norma was a lovely and elegant lady, with impeccable taste and fashion sense, inspiring admiration of her elegant appearance into her final days. She was unfailingly gracious and modest. When people would express admiration at her PhD, she would casually dismiss that accomplishment, saying that she ‘just enjoyed school and stayed with it’, putting people at ease. She loved people, and had a great many friends. She possessed an engaging and agile mind, and enjoyed many pastimes and interests. Her family was her focus, and she lovingly followed and participated in the lives of her granddaughters, children, and other family members. She loved to watch and feed birds, devoured mystery novels, enjoyed word and jigsaw puzzles, and had looked forward to acquiring a kitten following the death of Bob. Norma enjoyed a life well lived, set a stellar example for all who knew her, and she will be dearly missed until we meet again. In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations in Norma's name to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/ or Seattle Cancer Care Alliance: volunteer@seattlecca.org phone: 877-308-3117 mail: SCCA Donations P.O. Box 19023 Seattle, WA 98109 You may leave your memories of Norma and condolences for the family by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.