Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

The Washakie Homemakers of Worland has named Norma Worley as the group's 2016 Unsung Hero.

Norma is certainly a hero to her family and those fortunate enough to call her "friend."

Norma was born in Greybull, but at the age of 5 she and her family moved to Worland, where she resides to this day. She knew even at a young age that what she wanted most out of life was to be a wife and mother and that wish would come true in 1962.

"My husband Loyd and I went to school together, but it wasn't until my sister started dating Loyd's brother that we actually started dating," said Norma.

Their romance took them to the church to say their "I dos" on Dec. 26, 1962. The couple was married almost 50 years. Sadly, the love of Norma's life, Loyd, died in February 2012.

"I miss him every day," she said.

That union was blessed with three children: two sons Willy (wife Holly) and Sam (wife Sherri) and daughter Leah. All three children live in Worland; her sons own Worley Welding and Leah is a resident of Big Horn Enterprises, a group home for developmentally disabled adults.

Norma is a "behind-the-scenes" type of individual and can always be found in the kitchen cooking up family favorites.

"One of my sons loves my stuffing for Thanksgiving turkey," said Norma, "and the other son loves my fried chicken."

Other family favorites include Norma's famous spaghetti and meatballs as well as a pork chop casserole enrobed in cream of mushroom soup with sliced potatoes. Norma says she prefers making savory dishes to that of baking desserts, but no doubt her family loves all the same.

"My mother was a wonderful cook and she taught me," Norma said. "The pork chop recipe came from Loyd's grandmother."

For Norma it is her family that makes being a homemaker so enjoyable. Besides her children, Norma has three granddaughters and three great-grandchildren; twins Alysha and Alyssa and Alexis. Alyssa and her husband Drew live in Star Valley with their two children Jack and Evie Jane. Alexis and husband Andy reside in Gillette and have one daughter named Hallie. Twin Alysha also goes to Big Horn Enterprises to participate in their activities. Norma has always been a huge supporter of Alysha.

"I am so fortunate that my children live in Worland and that I was able to take care of Alexis, Alysha and Alyssa when they were growing up," Norma said.

It was 1996 when Norma joined the Washakie County Homemakers. "Actually the group was initially a sorority named Epsilon Sigma Alpha when we decided to disband," Norma said. "It was Elsie StClair who suggested our group become a homemakers group and the Town & Country Homemakers was born."

Norma is currently the president of Town & Country Homemakers and has held all other offices through the years. She also served as the treasurer for the Homemakers Council for two terms. She has been a Foster grandparent for nearly two years and belonged to the Civic League years ago. Norma and her husband were very involved in the Association for Retarded Citizens when Leah was young.

She was also a para-educator for Childrens' Resource Center, retiring in 2014. She received a certificate in 1997 from the center naming her the "CRC Hero."

Norma's hobbies include gardening, raising both a small vegetable garden to growing beautiful flowers that dot her home's landscape. Quiet times you can find Norma reading biographies and fiction.

She loves to collect cobalt blue dishes and chickens; not live ones mind you, but pictures, dishes and resin poultry.

Norma has always been an advocate for Special Olympics and for the childrens' center in Thermopolis where daughter Leah resided for 10 years. Norma helped host Town & Country birthday parties at Worland Healthcare, going so far as to shop and buy the gifts for the nursing home residents.

She is also a huge supporter of Big Horn Enterprises, where Leah and Alysha currently reside, and oftentimes takes meals to the residents as well as bring special treats for the staff and residents.

Norma truly lives by the Homemakers creed which is to provide for the good health of family by providing love, fellowship and self-esteem opportunities to members, their families and the community.

"I love making my home feel welcoming to my family and friends," said Norma. "There's nothing I love more than having my family here for meals or having my friends over for a meal."

Norma's loving gestures certainly puts the "home" in homemakers and is readily deserving of the group's Unsung Hero.