NORMA JEAN CONAHAN DREBIN

May 14, 1934 - August 31, 2011



Norma Jean Conahan was born May 14, 1934 in Seattle, King County, Washington, the first child and only daughter of Walter E. Conahan and Freda Henrietta Moeller. Norma had one younger brother, Gerald, who preceded her in death in 2002. Norma died on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 in Oregon City, Clackamas County, Oregon at the age of 77 years, 3 months, 17 days.



Norma's family name, Conahan, was important to her because it represented an immigrant from Ireland in 1854 who spent his lifetime in this country mining coal in Pennsylvania and California to support his family. The Conahan family has always been a proud Irish family and her father taught her honesty and truth as basic characteristics of a happy and successful life.



As a youth growing up in Seattle, Norma had many jobs. Her first, and favorite, was working at Creamland, where ice cream, sandwiches and pastries were sold. Though she was only 14 years old, the owner never asked Norma's age, and she never told him. She worked there during summers when she was in high school. As a youth, Norma enjoyed reading and studying, and she took many years of classical piano lessons. Norma graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle, Washington.



After graduating from high school, Norma worked as a Utility Clerk for a bank in Seattle, where her duties included bookkeeping, as well as working as a teller and in foreign exchange.



Norma met her first husband, James Michel Drebin, on a blind date when she was 17 years old. Jim was in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Tacoma, Washington. He was 19 years old. Jim and Norma eloped one year later; they were married on August 1, 1952 in Tacoma, Washington. Norma and Jim had five children: Dan Michel, Patrick James, Kelly Brent, Tracey Lynn and Casey Scott. Norma and Jim lived in Tacoma, Washington and after Jim's military service in Korea, the family moved to Oregon. They lived in Newberg, McMinnville, Woodburn and Milwaukie before moving to the Clackamas River in Oregon City, where Norma lived until her death. While Norma was raising their children, she worked as a telephone operator; she also worked for Beeline Fashions and Minnesota Woolens; Norma also bred Maltese and later miniature Schnauzer dogs in her home.



Norma began her work in law enforcement as a Dispatcher for the Lake Oswego Police Department. As a corrections officer for Multnomah County, she thwarted a jail break by a prisoner at Rocky Butte Jail who was trying to saw his way out of a jail cell. Norma's most satisfying job was as the Manager and a Correctional Sergeant at the Women's Community Treatment Center with the State of Oregon Corrections Division. In that position, she was able to help women being released from the Oregon State Penitentiary find homes and jobs. Norma helped reunite these women with their families and worked to integrate them back into a wholesome society.



Jim Drebin died December 2, 1989 in Boise, Idaho. After Jim Drebin's death, Norma focused on being active in her children's and grandchildren's lives.

Two years later, on December 7, 1991, Norma married Robert Frederick "Red"

Herzman in Reno, Nevada. Norma and Red made their home on the Clackamas River in Oregon City, Oregon. Red passed away on January 21, 2011.



Norma's passion in life was genealogy. Her ancestral roots were of primal importance to her. She spent more than 40 years researching her ancestry, and it gave her an understanding of family and of history; it helped keep her from feeling despair when present-day occurrences were not ideal. She once stated that she was from a very long-lived ancestry and a proud family of intelligent, ambitious and capable people: inventors, religious leaders, teachers, farmers, carpenters, brick masons, blacksmiths, and more.



Norma was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as a Family History Consultant and Director of the Oregon City Family History Center for many years. Although she felt that her "Golden Years"

weren't very golden due to health problems, Norma said she strived to do her best as she watched the sun go down. Overall, she said, her life has been one of joy and love and great pride in her descendants.



Norma Jean Conahan Drebin Herzman passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at McLoughlin Place Senior Living Center in Oregon City, Clackamas County, Oregon, where she had resided for the past three months. Norma is survived by her loving children, Dan (Gwen) Drebin of Beaverton, Oregon; Patrick

(Diane) Drebin of Oregon City, Oregon; Kelly (Kathy) Drebin of Corvallis, Oregon; Tracey (Kevin) Merrill of Lakebay, Washington; and Casey (Elline) Drebin of New Hampshire; and former daughter-in-law, Linda Drebin of Hawaii. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, brother, her husbands Jim Drebin and Red Herzman, and granddaughter Hannah Drebin Braun.



A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 10:00 am at the Oregon City Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14340 Donovan Road, Oregon City. Viewing will be Friday, September 9, 2011 at Hillside Chapel Funeral Home, 1306 Seventh Street, Oregon City from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, and at the Church from 9:00 to 9:45 am, prior to the funeral service. Visit Norma's online memorial at www.hillsidechapelfh.com .



Dedication of the grave and interment of Norma Jean Drebin will be held at the Redland Pioneer Cemetery on Saturday, September 10, 2011, following the funeral service.




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