Mrs. Norma Young Rhodes

It is with love, sorrow and gratitude that the daughters of Norma Young Rhodes share the news of her passing on September 3rd, 2026 at the age of 95. Norma was the only child of Paul M. Young and Adelma A. Young. She grew up in Hamilton, NY and went on to complete her education degree from Cortland State Teachers College. It was there where she met her future husband, Robert E. Rhodes. During the summers, and whenever she was home from college, she worked at the corner drugstore. She had a number of roles there, but her favorite was to work behind the soda fountain. She claimed she started each workday with a milkshake and ended it with a hot fudge sundae! Throughout her life, music and particularly, singing was ever present. As a teenager and young adult, Norma loved being part of her school’s marching band and enjoyed playing the ukulele Along with two other young women she was part of the Goose Creek Threesome, which entertained many in the Hamilton area. She continued playing the ukulele through the years. One of her grandaughters is carrying on the tradition. Norma was a member of the St. Mary’s choir and the leader of our family gatherings, where we sang all the old songs we had sung around our grandparents’ table. Her grandchildren love these songs and some are now singing them with their own children. Very recently, her daughters sang those songs to her one last time. Teaching and working with young children was one of our mother’s greatest passions. She often said, “Teaching isn’t a job; it’s a vocation. ” And she lived those words. She began her teaching career in the Cortland School District before moving to the Homer Central School District, where she spent the majority of her career teaching kindergarten. During her decades in the classroom, she touched the lives of hundreds of children, many of whom still remember her with great fondness. Early in her teaching career, she accompanied our father and family on sabbatical to Ireland. That trip led to lifelong friendships and had them returning to Ireland many times over the years. Along with her love of Ireland, Mom was particularly proud of her Norwegian heritage, a link she shared with her beloved mother. In 2001, she travelled to Norway with three of her daughters. Her love for travel also took her to France, Italy, Iceland, Scotland and England. While working full time and raising four children, our mother somehow found the time and energy to lead Brownie troops and 4-H clubs. She was always on the go, shuttling her daughters and their friends from one activity to the next—clubs, sporting events, practices, babysitting jobs, and movies. We still wonder how she did it all. Mom was an advocate for social justice before many of us even understood the term. She was the founder of the Social Justice Cluster of Cortland Area Faith Communities. She was also active in the formation of MICAH, Moving in Congregation, Acting in Hope, an organization instrumental in obtaining health insurance for uninsured children. She was a longstanding member of The Sennightly Literary Club, a women's community and cultural organization which actively engages in local philanthropic efforts supporting culture, literacy and hunger needs in our area. Her daughters grew up watching Pete Seeger’s Rainbow Quest and singing songs about doing good deeds and helping those less fortunate than themselves. It was no surprise when she received the Zonta Woman of Achievement Award in 2011. Her work on the boards of the Salvation Army and the Brewster House, and her involvement with the League of Women Voters, and Cortland-Ithaca PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) are just some examples of her documented contributions to our community. But there were countless other, quieter acts of generosity and caring that her friends and family witnessed throughout the years. During her acceptance speech for the Zonta Woman of Achievement Award, she said “When you help a woman, you help a family.” Those words reflected the way she lived her life.This was the example she set for her daughters and grandchildren. It is a legacy we hope to carry forward and follow in our own lives. Our mother loved our family fiercely, and claimed us as her greatest accomplishment. Norma is predeceased by her husband Robert Rhodes. She is survived by her 4 daughters Tracy Altieri (Bruce), Alison Rhodes-Devey (Mark), Robin Harris (Mike) and Caitlin St. George. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Mairead Harris, Rachel Rhodes-Devey, Alex Aloi, Brian Rhodes-Devey, Scott Harris, Laura Harris, Erin Altieri, and Dylan Altieri. Her great grandchildren now total 6 with more on the way. Donations may be made to: Loaves and Fishes https://cortlandloavesandfishes.org/Services St. Mary’s School in Cortland http://www.smscortland.org/give-now.html or the charity of your choice. A service honoring Norma’s life will be held in Cortland, NY in the spring.

Mrs. Norma Young Rhodes

June 23, 1931 - September 3, 2026