Norma Mortensen

Norma Nancy Blancato Hollingsworth Mortensen, age 85, passed away on January 20, 2026, in Social Circle, Georgia. She was born on December 1, 1940, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Frank Blancato and Elisa Picciotti Blancato.

Norma was a graduate of Plant High School (1958) in Tampa, Florida, and a graduate of the University of Tampa (1963). She was a member of the 1961–1962 Who's Who Among Students in American Universities, where she was cited for notable contributions and leadership in civic and church organizations. This spirit of service continued into her professional life, where she dedicated herself to education, serving as a PE, English, and ESOL teacher in DeKalb County, Georgia, at Towers, Southwest DeKalb, and Lakeside High Schools.

A lifelong Christian, Norma faithfully served in every community in which she lived. In her earlier years, she led youth groups at Methodist and Presbyterian churches, both to ensure her own children had a youth group to attend and because of her deep love for serving and helping young people grow in their faith. After retiring to Port Orange, Florida, she became an active and devoted member of South Daytona Christian Church. Throughout her life, she served on church leadership teams, sang in choirs, volunteered for election polling, and participated in a long-standing bridge group. Her life was characterized by steady service, quiet leadership, and deep faith.

Throughout her life, Norma lived in Tampa, Florida; Stevensville, Michigan; Columbus, Georgia; Gainesville, Florida; Omaha, Nebraska; Raleigh, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Stone Mountain, Georgia; Conyers, Georgia; Loganville, Georgia; Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Port Orange, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Phil Mortensen, to whom she was married from 2009 until his death in 2017, and by her parents, Frank and Elisa Blancato. She was previously married to Byron F. Hollingsworth, Jr.

She is survived by her children and their families: David Hollingsworth (Tina), of Severn, Maryland; Jim Hollingsworth (Emily), of Rockford, Michigan; Amy Hayter (Randy Tromza), of Taylorsville, Georgia; and Lee Hollingsworth (Stacie), of Loganville, Georgia. She is also survived by her grandchildren Abbey Galviz Strickland (Steven), Megan Hollingsworth, Cassandra Hollingsworth, Stephen Hayter (Emily), Jacob Hollingsworth (Katie), Ben Hollingsworth, Macy Hollingsworth, Emily Gatrel (Nathan), Brianna Hollingsworth, and William Hollingsworth, and by her great-grandchildren Justin, Meredith, Avery, and Ruthie, with one great-grandchild, Fletcher, expected.

She is also survived by her stepchildren, Michael Mortensen (Christine) and Mary Ann Goodwell (Andre), both of Fort Wayne, Indiana, as well as by her brothers, Orlando Blancato of Stone Mountain, Georgia, and Daniel Blancato of Waleska, Georgia, and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Norma's legacy is one of quiet strength, deep love for her family, commitment to education, faithful service, and steadfast devotion to Christ. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Holy Cross Cathedral, 3836 Oak Grove Road, Loganville, GA. A small reception with light refreshments will follow the service in the church fellowship hall.