Norma Jean Ballard

NORMA JEAN BALLARD December 24, 1932 to July 11,2020 Norma Jean Ballard died of natural causes on 07/11/2020 in Greeley, CO. Despite the corona virus epidemic, the hospital allowed her some visitors, so she was able to be comforted by a few close family members. She was 88 years old. Born in Mill Creek, Oklahoma at the height of The Great Depression on Christmas Eve, she was the youngest of Joe and Pearl Tripp’s 8 children: Lyndon, Jo Hannah (Sis), Hazel, Jane, Cletus, PW (Tubby) aka Tripp, and Willa Dean. All of them but her brother, PW, of Amarillo, TX have preceded her in death. A grandson, Anthony Alongi, also preceded her in death in 2015. A niece, Cathy Tripp and a nephew, Robert Hall also preceded her in death She is survived by her son, Richard Ballard, of Greeley, CO, a daughter, Sherry Alongi of St, James, NY, and 3 granddaughters; Angelina Alongi of Napa, CA, Andrea Beauman of Nesconset, NY, and Nicole Ballard of Denver, CO. Additionally, she leaves behind 5 nephews (Ronald Lessley of Claremore, OK, Kenneth Baker of Tishomingo, OK, Michael Angiorlis of York, PA, Roger Ashby OF Hesperia, CA, Terry Tripp of Amarillo, TX) and 4 nieces (Barbara Mason of Houschton GA, Carol Bamonte of Highlands Ranch, CO, Cindi Orendorff of Gettysburg, PA, Lyndee Tripp, Tulsa ,OK) and extended family. Norma worked for various companies during her lifetime. Back in the day before dial, touch tone or smart phones, she was a telephone operator in Roswell, NM. Later in her career she worked at a variety of administrative and accounting positions in PA and CO, including AMF Head and Beech Aircraft in Boulder, CO. After retiring she spent her time enjoying her grandchildren, gardening, canning, volunteering for the ASPCA and sewing, the latter of which she was particularly proficient. In fact. she made all the shirts for a drum and bugle corps, which her son was a member. She also quilted all the quilt tops her mother had pieced together from flour sacks decades earlier. Beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, she will be remembered for her untiring work ethic, standing up for women’s rights and setting an example for single mothers, long before it was politically correct and fashionable to do so, but an economic necessity never the less, and unshakeable loyalty to her family, even when it was difficult, at times. In lieu of flowers, a donation to your local animal rescue or favorite charity would be appreciated