Norma R. Udell Obituary (1926 - 2021)

On Friday, February 26, 2021 Norma Rubin Udell loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away at the age of 94. Norma is preceded in death by her father Irving Rubin, her mother Mildred Rubin, and Aaron J. Udell her husband of fifty-three years. Norma was born June 29,1926 in Newark, New Jersey. She moved to Youngstown, Ohio in 1946 where she resided for 58 years and raised her four children Larry, Bruce, Susan, and Robert. Norma was a teacher. She spent the bulk of her teaching career teaching English at Woodrow Wilson High School. She loved reading and teaching Shakespeare. A very notable achievement in Norma’s professional life was teaching the first Black history course in Youngstown, Ohio during the 1960’s. Norma was passionate about racial equality, combating antisemitism, and justice for all. However, when asked about her greatest achievement, Norma would always reply “My children”. Norma loved literature, jazz, and travel. To meet Norma was to love her. She loved people and could draw out the shyest of us all. She was a wonderful listener and a dear friend. Norma cherished her family. She leaves behind her sister Pearl Schwartz of New Jersey; her four children, Larry Udell of Philadelphia, PA, Bruce and Janet Udell of Sarasota, FL, Susan and Richard Martin of Columbus, OH, Robert Udell of Merritt Island, FL; eight grandchildren, Joshua and Nilufar Martin, Melissa and Nathan Berman, Chad Martin and Alexandra Campbell Martin, Jeremy Udell and Rebecca Hull, Megan Udell, Jonathan Udell, Peyton Udell, Carrie Udell; and one great grandson Aiden Berman; and her nieces and nephews, Debra Hope Colligan, Clifford Schwartz, Curtis Udell, and Shari Johanson. Graveside service was held at 2:00pm, Sunday, February 28, 2021 at Ohev Tzedek Cemetery, Youngstown, Ohio. Norma’s smile, compassionate spirit and love will be in the hearts of those who loved her always and forever. Donations in Norma’s memory may be made to: The Southern Poverty Law Center, The Holocaust Museum, Wexner Heritage House in Columbus Ohio and Zusman Hospice (zusman@whv.org.).