Norma was born in 1930 in Regina, Saskatchewan and passed away in Alaska in 2007. After high school, she moved to Yorkton, Saskatchewan, to begin her career in radio. Norma joined KTVA in 1954 and Hostess House signed on the air March 1 of that year.

“She surely had no idea that morning that she was hosting the first installment of what would become the longest-running single-host program in the history of television and the third-longest-running program of any type, exceeded only by Face the Nation and Meet The Press," her family says. Norma also served as a vice president of Northern Television and co-anchored the evening news for many years.

Norma's service to Alaskans and her country knew no bounds. She considered the day she became a naturalized U.S. citizen one of the greatest days of her life and was a proud patriot who devoted herself to supporting the armed forces in any way she could.

Among the scores of awards she received over her half-century career in public service, these were some of her proudest accomplishments: that she was the first woman—civilian or military—to fly a tactical mission in a TF-102 supersonic fighter jet on March 18, 1961.

After Norma retired her weekday show, some friends recalled fond memories working with this Alaska pioneer.

“She came to Channel 11 as a young bride to host our daily talk show featuring local people of interest and live commercials, some of which became the basis of hilarious stories. Nonprofits were soon included in the program. Each had a story to tell and a cause to work on and Norma helped every one of them. All the while she raised four children and some of her grandchildren.” “Norma is beloved by hundreds of people who have been informed and guided by her without consideration for her time. She is too modest to acknowledge all the help she has been to the people of Anchorage.”

“Norma was First Lady to many people in many ways. She helped me through some difficult phases of my days at Northern Television. She was always there to guide me in the right direction whether we were facing challenges to our broadcasting licenses from environmental extremists, extending negotiations with union efforts to organize the station, and agreeing to be my co-anchor on Eyewitness News after someone left unexpectedly. She had more than staying power on the air. She held up unbelievably when tragedy struck her family on more than one occasion.

“Alaskans in general, and all Alaskan broadcasters, owe Norma more than we can ever repay.”

Alaska Business Publishing Company, Inc.