Norma Guyon

NORMA ELISABETH GUYON (nee Schaller), a 59-year resident of Richmond Heights, Ohio, entered into eternal life July 2, 2015, surrounded by her family and after fighting a courageous battle with colon cancer.

She was born on September 10, 1928, in Rochester, NY to the late Nichol and Anna Minna (nee Wilhelm) Schaller, who had emigrated from Germany. After graduating from Madison High School at age 16, she attended the University of Rochester where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She was the first of her family to attend college.

It was at the University of Rochester in the fall of 1948 where she met her future husband, John “Jack” Walter Guyon, in an advanced math course. She was in her senior year; he was completing his Master’s degree in chemical engineering. Theirs was a long and happy union. Married December 10, 1949, they raised three children, played many happy (and competitive) rounds of golf together, bowled, traveled in Europe and the U.S. and were keen bridge players. Norma was also an avid swimmer.

Prior to having her first child on January 21, 1953, Norma held several positions at General Electric Co., where Jack had joined the management training program. Among other things, Norma was employed at the general engineering lab where she worked on the Hermes missile project which had been contracted to GE by the U.S. Army following World War II. Later, when her children were in high school and at college, she was employed at Mt. Sinai Hospital as a financial analyst. She also served as the financial director for the city of Richmond Heights.

She dedicated most of her life to her family and volunteering. She was president of the Parent Teachers Association, was a 30-year volunteer at Huron Hospital, and a former board member and volunteer with the Friends of the Cleveland Public Library.

Norma’s family gave her the most pleasure and they will lovingly remember her as a wonderful, humble, caring, confident woman who was patient, hard-working and optimistic. She generously opened her heart to all of her extended family, their friends and relations. Her inquisitive intellect and boundless curiosity fueled an avid reading habit, leading her to research many subjects which she shared with her family and friends. Her lively conversation will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years John “Jack” Walter Guyon;  son Jeffrey J. (Beth) Guyon of Greenwood Village, CO, daughter Janet L. Guyon of New York, NY, and son William R. (Karen Welch) Guyon of El Dorado Hills, CA; grandchildren Timothy A. (Rebekah) Guyon, Katherine E. Guyon, Kimberly C. Guyon and Nic Watt; sister-in- law Jean Guyon; nephews Craig Schaller, Scott Walsh, Mark Guyon, Scott Guyon, and Warren Guyon.

She is preceded in death by her brother George W. (Eileen) Schaller; brother-in-law James W. Guyon; and her niece Linda Papanu.

Contributions may be made in Norma’s memory to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185th St., Cleveland, OH 44119 or Choroideremia Research Foundation, 23 E. Brundreth, Springfield, MA  01109.

A Gathering and Celebration of Norma’s Life will be held on August 16, 2015 from 1 – 3 PM at the Eastman Reading Garden at the Cleveland Public Library downtown.