Norma J. Hongisto

1927 - 2022

Norma J. Hongisto
May 25, 1927 - December 29, 2022
Norma Jean Hongisto, 95, passed away at Belmont Village in Albany, California, where she lived the past four years. She was the daughter of Daniel E. and Mabel (Schadt) Cole and was born and raised in Spencer, Iowa.
From a young age, Norma was an aspiring artist, and earned her BA in Fine Art at the University of Iowa. After graduation, she began exploring the world, with an ongoing love for, and focus on, art. Norma lived in Chicago, New York, and Houston, and settled in San Francisco, where she pursued a teaching credential. She met her future husband Don at San Francisco State University, and they married on Valentine's Day in 1959.
Norma and Don moved to Berkeley in 1963, where they raised their three children. Together they explored art and the humanities in the US, Mexico, and Europe. They later traveled in Asia, Latin America, and Africa, but visited Spain the most, as it became home to their son, Eric. Although they lived in London, England and Quincy, California, Norma always considered Berkeley home.
Throughout Norma's life, she fully devoted herself to her many passions. She designed and maintained beautiful gardens and was a very talented and diverse cook and baker – mastering Julia Child recipes, and later cuisines from around the world. She filled the family table with delicious meals and her home with her artwork. Norma's early artistic years included sketching, acrylics, and pottery. In later years, she focused on watercolor as a medium. Norma also was an avid tap dancer, performing many years with the Berkeley Senior Center. Of all her passions, she dearly loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother.
She will be greatly missed by her husband of 63 years, Don; three children Sonja (Brent), Eric, and Kirsten; and five grandchildren, Kelsey, Evan, Kate, Claudia, and Mark. Norma was predeceased by her brothers, Dale and Russell.
Her family is currently planning a celebration of Norma's life, including a display of her beautiful artwork. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Berkeley Humane Society, Alzheimer's Association, or a local art organization.