Norma Yolanda Heinrichs (Genovesi)

Norma Heinrichs died on May 3, 2025 of natural causes six weeks shy of her 96th birthday. Her life was dedicated to raising her five children to whom she taught responsibility, family values, humanity and charity to those who had less than others.

Norma Genovesi was born to Italian immigrants, Giovachino (Jack) and Lena Genovesi. Born and raised in San Jose, Norma attended St Joseph’s elementary school and Notre Dame High School graduating in 1947. She grew up on Spencer Avenue in the Holy Family Parish where the Mass was in Italian. Growing up, she spent summers working in her father’s grocery store (Central Grocery) across from the St. Claire Hotel with her sisters Erma and Edna.  Norma was a devout Catholic her entire life over the years belonging to the parishes of Holy Family Church in downtown San Jose (no longer there), St. Lawrence and St. Justin’s in Santa Clara, and St Mary’s in Gilroy. 

In 1947, she met John Heinrichs. He made it a habit of being at the Genovesi house in the late afternoon on Sundays so he would be invited to an Italian Sunday dinner. At the age of 21, Norma and John were married on October 1,1950 in Holy Family Church and remained so for 72 years. When asked if she had any regrets not pursuing a professional career, she replied, “The only thing I ever wanted to be was the best mother and wife I could be.” She exceeded her goals. She raised five children while working evenings at Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara for 25 years. She was always one of the first to bring dinner to a parish family who had experienced a death in the family, and she made sure to bring one of her children with her so they learned that this was an important responsibility of being a part of a community.  She volunteered for parish charities and later in her retirement she served meals to the homeless and volunteered at St Joseph’s Family Center.

John and Norma retired to Gilroy in 1992 where she practiced yoga three days a week until she was 90. Her and John lived a wonderful life together and provided three generations an example of how to live a life of love, commitment and family values.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband John (2023), and grandchild Dylan Findley (1982). She leaves five children, Greg (Linda), Kirk (Kimberly) Lynette (Sean), Lisa (Chris) and Gina (Mitchell). She also leaves 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Rest in Peace mom, knowing you left a legacy of devout faith and love of family.

Services will be on June 14th at 10:00 AM at the Habing Family Funeral Home, 129 Fourth Street, Gilroy. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the St. Joseph’s Family Center, 7950 Church Street, Suite A, 95020.