Norma Rubin Udell 1926-2021

Norma was preceded in death by her father, Irving Rubin; her mother, Mildred Rubin; and Aaron J. Udell, her husband of 53 years.

Norma was born June 29, 1926, in Newark, N.J. She moved to Youngstown 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 during the 1960s. Norma was passionate about racial equality, combating anti-semitism 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, Fla., Susan and Richard Martin of Columbus and Robert Udell of Merritt Island, Fla.; 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 and Carrie Udell; one great-grandson, Aiden Berman; and her nieces and nephews, Debra Hope Colligan, Clifford Schwartz, Curtis Udell and Shari Johanson.

Graveside services were held, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, at Ohev Tzedek Cemetery, Youngstown.

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 and Zusman Hospice (zusman@whv.org).

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