Norma J. Sawyer passed away peacefully at home on March 24, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in New York on September 5, 1943 to Norman Hall and Barbara Warren Hall. She is preceded in death by her husband Leo Sawyer, her parents, and her father’s wife Lillian. Norma had a distinguished career at Rutgers University-New Brunswick for 47 years, where she was one of the first women to serve as a senior administrator at the university. She was hard of hearing for much of her adult life, so she used ingenuity and determination to adapt in the workplace and at home in a time before disability accommodations were commonplace. Later in life, she received a cochlear implant from Thomas Jefferson University, and she often supported research at the university’s Balance and Hearing Center. A long-time resident of the Renaissance and Leisure Knoll communities in Manchester, New Jersey, Norma also enjoyed spending time in Crystal River, Florida. In her free time, she was an avid player of golf and mahjong. She loved traveling all over the world, including to Europe and South America. Norma said her favorite trip was to Québec, where she and her husband went to research his family history. She was also an animal lover who spoiled her beloved dogs, including her last dog Barron. Her wry, witty sense of humor was famous in the family, and Aunt Norma’s colorful stories were a fixture at many family reunions and Thanksgiving dinners. Norma is survived by her dear sister Ruth Bredbenner; nephews Sanford Bredbenner (Beth O’Keefe), Jeffrey Bredbenner (Kristin Waechter), and Robert Bredbenner (Jennifer); grandnieces Stephanie (Ben), Cassaundra (Connor), and Shelby; grandnephews Justin (Maraika) and Graham; and great-grandniece Nora. She also leaves behind cousins Ann Marie Williams (Tom) and Kathy Murphy (Kenneth Hall) and their families, along with many friends in New Jersey and Florida. The burial and memorial service will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Thomas Jefferson University Balance and Hearing Center or the Northern Ocean County Animal Facility.

Gifts to Thomas Jefferson University in honor of Norma J. Sawyer can be made online, by mail, or over the phone at 1-877-JEFF-GIFT (1-877-533-3443). Mail checks, payable to Thomas Jefferson University or Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, to:

Jefferson

Office of Institutional Advancement

Department 825434

P.O. Box 71331

Philadelphia, PA 19176-1331

Gifts in honor of Norma J. Sawyer can be made to the Northern Ocean County Animal Facility by mailing cash or check to:

Northern Ocean County Animal Facility

615 Freemont Ave.

Jackson, NJ 08527