Norma Rae Hoogerbrugge at age 89 years old, passed away on April 7, 2018. She had endured a nine month duration with cancer, diagnosed in 2017. She had the best of care at “Bella Nova Villa” in Oxnard. Her daughter Sandra lived close by and was able to spend a lot of precious time with her.
Norma was born on December 19, 1928 in Bokoshe, Oklahoma to her parents Charles and Mildred (Barclift) Smith. Her brother Kenneth was born in 1930 and Roland in 1933. Their parents divorced in 1936, shortly after Mildred brought all three children to Ventura, California to live. She worked several jobs and raised them as a single parent. Norma attended Lincoln Elementary and Ventura High School. In 1946 Mildred met and married Benjamin Neronha, a Military Seabee at the Port Hueneme Base.
After Norma graduated Ventura High School in 1946, at age 17 years old, she worked for the well known “Pierpont Inn” in Ventura, as a Bookkeeper. That same year she met and married Harvey Kimball. They lived in a small studio apartment next to Ventura beach. On March 19, 1948 her first son David was born. However the marriage between Harvey and Norma ended in divorce in 1952.The Sears Roebuck Store in Ventura hired Norma to be one of their Bookkeepers. Norma was always a sophisticated, classy woman and paid attention to having her hair, nails, makeup and apparel be properly worn, whether it be for business or any other occasion during her lifetime. Norma met Edwin Carpenter, a salesman for the IBM Company, who ordered copy machine supplies for the office. They got acquainted and married in 1957. On December 3, 1957, their daughter Sandra was born. They lived in a small duplex in Ventura with David and Sandra for two years. Fortunately, they were able to buy a new home in Camarillo. Their family continued to grow as they were blessed with sons Paul born on January 15, 1962, and 16 months later, John was born on May 15, 1963. When her youngest son John was almost three years old, Norma and her friend partnered together to open a children’s clothing store in Camarillo and named it “Thumbelina”. What a fitting name it was, because when you walked through the door it was like walking into the Fairy Tale Book it was named after. Norma would make trips to the Wholesale Garment District in Los Angeles to buy adorable good quality clothes for little boys and girls to sell at Thumbelina. Norma put on an array of Fashion Shows with hers’ and her friends’ children modeling clothes from her store. Being a business owner, Norma became a member of the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, a Society whose goal was to help further the interests of local businesses. Unfortunately Edwin and Norma divorced in 1969. Norma and her children remained living in the home in Camarillo. While Edwin went to help care for his parents in Ventura.
During her search for new employment she interviewed for a front office position for Dr. Stephen Brewster on Ventura Blvd. in Camarillo. He hired and self-taught her the terminology relating to his dentistry practice and details of the work done in the front office. Later, she also became his Dental Assistant. During her first few months of working at the dental office she met Frank Hoogerbrugge, a long-time patient of Dr. Brewster’s. Frank had been a widower and had raised two grown daughters, Leslie and Willie. He worked for the USA Government at the Pt. Mugu Naval Base. Kindred Spirits, Frank and Norma married in August 1970. They moved across town to become a family in a new home. Frank was a loving husband to Norma, and a great step-father to her children. Their family was an active part of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Camarillo during the early 70’ s through the mid 80’s. During their years together they would travel with their camper trailer to visit several sites. They belonged to the Good Sam’s Club and KOA Camp grounds. Norma loved the beauty of flowers and the outdoors. Burney Falls State Park Campground in Northern California became a favorite family and friends’ destination each summer.
Norma continued working at the dental office for seventeen years. In 1985, Frank and Norma took an early retirement, sold their home and bought a piece of property in Magalia, CA. They became friends with their soon to be new neighbor George Clapper, an Architect and Artist who helped them design their retirement home. Before their new home was finished, they moved out of a rental and into their newly built home to help with the finishing touches. The home was a “Dream Home” surrounded by pine trees and a bubbling creek in the backyard. The kitchen was very spacious with a prep island with a cook stove built in. Norma was an excellent cook and always loved to have family and friends over to share meals together. After just three years into retirement, Frank had a fatal heart attack in 1988. Norma continued to live in the beautiful home, enjoyed gardening, planting flowers and decorating her home. Norma also cared for Frank’s mother Bengta Hoogerbrugge, who had been living with them prior to Franks death. Bengta continued to live there, in Norma’s care, until she passed away.
In 2008 Norma’s health began to decline and she became malnourished by forgetting to eat. Her son John, moved her up to Oregon to The Regent Independent Living Home in Corvallis, which was only a few minutes’ drive from his home. There Norma could have her Cat “Shadow”, a few of her personal belongings and furniture in her room. Norma loved eating the freshly prepared meals served in their beautiful dining room. She loved the social gatherings and activities the residents shared. She was always kind and compassionate to others. She noticed the good and attractive qualities in everyone and paid each a complement.
Norma became less able to care for herself. Her daughter Sandra asked John to let her come back down to Ventura County to be cared for in a more qualified Assisted Living Home. Sandra, after trying three unsuitable facilities, found the perfect place for Norma’s needs. It was the “Bella Nova Villa Assisted Living Home” in Oxnard. They specialize in caring for the elderly affected by Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. It was a home in a nice neighborhood with five elderly residents. Norma was getting quality loving care, stimulating mind and physical exercises, home cooked food, and always kept very neat and clean. After she was diagnosed with cancer, her doctor helped arrange for Hospice to help care for her too. The Hospice Caregivers were so very kind and gentle with Norma. Her doctor prescribed pain medication doses to be administered at specific times to make sure she was not in distress.
During the last few days of Norma’s life, her daughter Sandra spent many hours with her mom, expressing her love, painting her nails, combing her hair, playing Norma’s favorite Artist’s songs and would tell her that John was coming down from Oregon to visit with her. Norma must have understood, because she waited for him. John arrived and spent four days reciting scriptures, praying and singing hymns to her. Norma passed away peacefully in her sleep without any distress on Saturday April 7, 2018 at about 9:40 pm. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Hoogerbrugge, mother-in- law Bengta Hoogerbrugge, her mother Mildred Neronha, step-father Benjamin Neronha, son David Kimball, and her brothers Kenneth and Roland Smith.
She is survived by her step-daughters Leslie Elliott and A. Willie Combos, daughter Sandra Camp, sons Paul and John Carpenter, and 7 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 3 step-great- grandchildren 4 step-great- great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews and their families.
A Memorial Service will be held on
Monday May 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at:
Trinity Presbyterian Church
2304 Antonio Ave Camarillo, CA 93010.
Rev. John Carpenter (Norma’s son) will be officiating