Norma Goodman

Norma Goodman, 76, known to generations of Alaskans as "Alaska's First Lady of Television," died March 21, 2007, at Providence Alaska Medical Center after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and dear friends.
True to form, Norma wanted her funeral and wake open to the entire community. A funeral will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at All Saints Episcopal Church, Eighth Avenue and F Street. A wake will follow at the Top of the World restaurant in the Hilton Anchorage.
Norma was born Sept. 14, 1930, in Regina, Saskatchewan, to Lillian Baxter and Douglas Campbell. After high school, she moved to Yorkton, Saskatchewan, to begin her career in radio. She moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1950, and at a New Year's Eve party that year she met Stuart "Sid" Goodman. Sparks flew, and after a year of courtship, they were married Oct. 4, 1952, in Vancouver.
The newlyweds arrived in Anchorage in November 1952 and went to work for Alaska Airlines, Sid as sales manager and Norma as a ticket agent. Norma joined KTVA in January 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 wrote. Norma also served as a vice president of Northern Television and co-anchored the evening news for many years.
"Our community's appreciation of Norma's service was extensive," her family also wrote. "So extensive, in fact, that by the mid-1960s Sid had to set aside an entire room to hold all of the awards, plaques and certificates of appreciation Norma had accumulated serving our community. 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 an TF-102 supersonic fighter jet on March 18, 1961; her recognition by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara for service to the military; McCall's Gold Mike award for excellence in broadcasting, which she received at the White House; her appointment by the Air National Guard as an honorary Brevet Chief Master Sergeant; the proclamation by Mayor Rick Mystrom in 1997 of Dec. 5 as Norma Goodman Day; her induction into the Alaska Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1990; and her recognition as the Alaskan of the Year in 2001. But perhaps her proudest service achievement came, her family wrote, when the Air Force Sergeants Association presented her with its highest national recognition of patriotic service -- the Americanism Award -- which honors love of country, commitment to democratic ideals and defense of the Constitution.
"But these achievements are only part of Norma's legacy," her family wrote. "At a time when few women had entered the work force, Norma not only forged a stellar career as a professional broadcaster but also created a home suffused with love, hospitality and a spirit of warmth and generosity. It was simply impossible to feel like a stranger under her roof. As a longtime resident said to Norma's son recently, 'Norma Goodman did more for this state than anyone alive; for generations, she made Alaskans proud to be Alaskans. It was like we had our own movie star.' "
Norma is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Don Jelich of Anchorage; son and daughter-in-law, Stuart and Katherine Noble-Goodman of Redlands, Calif.; granddaughters, Cristi Bailey, Holly and Katrina Goodman, and Aidan Brie Noble-Goodman; grandson, Kieran Noble-Goodman; daughter-in-law, Connie Goodman; Alaskan extended family; dear friend, Sister Mary Clare; surrogate daughter, Vicky Miller; and various relatives throughout Canada.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Leslie; husband, Stuart; and son, Fraser.
Memorial contributions can be made to one of Norma's favorite guests, Friends of Pets.