Norma M. Hockenjos of Pine Run Community, Doylestown, Pennsylvania died on January 24, 2023, at the Pine Run Health Center. Norma will be remembered for her devotion, tireless service, hospitality and sense of wonder. Her commitment to her faith and the Methodist church centered her life journey.
Born and raised along the coast in New Hampshire, she was the daughter of Letitia and Norman Marston. She graduated from North Hampton Academy and High School where she was valedictorian of her high school class. Encouraged by a Methodist minister and helped financially by a local benefactor, she embarked for New Jersey to attend Douglass College, where she graduated in 1953. She was the first woman in her family to attend college, and she treasured education and learning throughout her lifetime. Following graduation, she was a high school English teacher.
Norma married William J. Hockenjos in 1954. They resided in Westfield for over 57 years, where they raised their family. She was devoted to the First United Methodist Church of Westfield, where she first volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, and then worked for many years as the Director in Christian Education. She organized youth groups, vacation bible school, confirmation classes, adult education classes, workshops for teachers and ecumenical workshops, wrote Sunday School curricula, assisted with worship, and helped in countless other ways. She was consecrated as a diaconal minister of the United Methodist Church and a certified Christian educator. She continued to teach in the churches she attended following her move from Westfield. Her work changed lives in no small measure due to her special gift to find and nurture the best in others. Her spirit and love of language were reflected in a lifetime of sermons and letters to friends and family.
Norma was an accomplished seamstress and always had a project underway. She loved to bake. Norma and Bill’s hospitality was renowned, and they regularly invited neighbors and friends over for dinner, holidays, a picnic or dessert. Norma regularly made birthday cakes and other treats for family and friends. She and Bill were devoted to their grandchildren and would travel far and wide to be with them and to watch their activities. She enjoyed traveling with Bill, and they spent many wonderful summers at Bow Lake, New Hampshire with extended family.
She is survived by her daughters, Katie Hockenjos (Kevin Michels), and Dr. Janet Roberto; grandchildren, Amberly Roberto and Matthew Roberto (Steffi) and Victoria Michels (Kevin Shea); her brother Alan Marston (Helen); her sisters Barbara Robinson (Rodney) and Cynthia Brown (Bruce); and her nephews and nieces. Her brother, David Marston (Lu), predeceased her.
A celebration of her life will take place at the First United Methodist Church of Westfield on February 11, 2023, at 10 a.m.
Gifts in her memory may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, Memorial Fund, One East Broad Street, Westfield, New Jersey 07090.
