Norma Dunlop

Norma Martha Dunlop Passed away on July 14, 2010 at her residence in Piedmont Gardens, Piedmont, California after a long bout with various illnesses. Norma was known as a person with a delightful sense of humor and for her high spirits and radiant charm. She was intensely curious and absorbed by learning about different cultures of the world, in particular, about the works of art evolving from those cultures. Norma participated fully in the activities at Piedmont Gardens, her final residence, always providing a sparkle and delight to the gatherings. She had a deep interest in the lives of her many friends and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Norma leaves behind her immediate family consisting of her husband of 60 years, Arthur K. Dunlop, her sister's-in-law Martha Peterson and Helen Beck, the latter's husband Eldon Beck, and an extended family. Norma was born in San Francisco in 1925 to Martha and Hugo Staackmann, both immigrants from Germany. She attended schools in Palo Alto and San Francisco and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1946 with a BS degree. She was then employed by the W.H. Freeman Company, a publishing company in San Francisco, for a period of twenty years. On February 25, 1950, she and Arthur Dunlop were married and resided in Berkeley. An early task in their married life was doing all of the work in building their home on Grand View Drive in Oakland, pouring the concrete, placing large beams, all in accordance with the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired design prepared by Art. Norma and Art shared a keen interest in architecture and the art of the world. Their many travels led them to search out special places and special works of art and delightful experiences wherever they could be found. Their home was soon filled with a diverse collection of world wide folk art. Art, as a chemist with the Shell Development Company was transferred to Houston, Texas in 1972. Norma and Art resided in Houston for 13 years adding a bit to their collection of art works while significantly expanding a collection of fine wines. Not long after their return to the Bay Area from Houston, their home was destroyed in the Oakland fire of 1991. Not to be dissuaded by minor events, they rebuilt their home to it's previous grandness and individuality and resumed their collection of art and fine wines. In 2005 Norma and Art moved to Piedmont Gardens to began a final adventure in their lives. A private memorial service will be held in August, 2010. Norma prefers that gifts or donations not be offered.