Logan Herald Journal, 04/25/12


ONALASKA, Wis. - Norma Jean Archibald Whitney passed away peacefully at her home in Onalaska, Wis., surrounded by her loving family and some of her closest friends, the Leiker family, Thursday April 19, 2012. She had courageously battled several cancers, cholangialcarcinoma, a liver related cancer, being the last.
Norma was born April 5, 1939, in Preston, Idaho, to Ray and Emma Areta Archibald. She loved growing up on the family farm in Dayton Idaho. Some of Norma's fondest memories were of her mother tending to her lilacs and irises while apple pies were being cooled on the windowsill.
After graduating from West Side High school, Norma briefly attended BYU and then moved to Los Angeles, Calif. During this time she met and married Stuart Sussman. In 1964, her son Alan was born. Norma and Stuart later divorced. Eventually Norma moved to Logan and met Hyrum Jethro Whitney. After a seven-month courtship they were married and had two daughters, Emily and Jennifer.
While working for the physical plant at Utah State University, she decided to go back to school and finish her bachelor's degree. She was nervous at first, being one of the only older students in most courses, so she started off taking only one class at a time. Soon she realized that she loved taking courses and quickly graduated summa cum laude with her degree. She then continued on to complete a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, also graduating summa cum laude.
She began working as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the State of Utah in the Ogden office. Later she transferred to the office in Brigham City and eventually transferred to the Logan office. After working in the Logan office for several years she became the supervising counselor for the department.
After retiring from the State of Utah and the passing of her husband, Hyrum, Norma decided to apply for the position of area manager for the state of Wyoming's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. She was offered the position and accepted the job and moved to Cheyenne, Wyo., in 2006. After working in Cheyenne for five years Norma decided to retire and move to Onalaska, Wis., to be closer to her children.
Norma was a wonderfully kind woman with a brilliant sense of humor who took care of everyone. She had an ability to make those around her feel welcomed and loved. She worked tirelessly to make sure the needs of those around her were met through charitable acts, leaving behind a legacy of service. Norma was an inspiration to her family as well as friends and will be sorely missed.
She was preceded in death by her brother Raymond Gordon Archibald; first husband, Stuart Sussman; second husband, Hyrum Jethro Whitney; and stepson, Donald Hyrum Whitney. She is survived by her sister Caryol (Jerry) Tolman; and brother Marvin Archibald; as well as her children, Alan (Lisa) Whitney, Emily Whitney and Jennifer Whitney. She is also survived by her stepchildren from her marriage to Hyrum, Shauna (Scott) Freeman, Toni (Kim) Whitney and Kathy Whitney.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 27, at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center St. in Logan, Utah. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Friday at Allen-Hall Mortuary.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.allenmortuaries.net.

Published in Logan Herald Journal from April 25 to May 9, 2012