Ms. Nealis

Norma Nealis, 85, of Hillsboro, died Monday, March 28, 2011, at St. Joseph Hospital in Mount Sterling.

She was born Oct. 26, 1925, in Hillsboro to the late Durbin and Gertrude Likes Nealis.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Berman Nealis, on March 9, 1991; a sister, Pauline Likes Nealis Harmon, on July 20, 2001; and a brother, Robert Kenneth (Bob) Nealis, on Dec. 25, 2010.

Norma is survived by a niece, Kim Harmon Hester of Flemingsburg; a great-niece, Jennifer Hester Gulley and husband, Kenney of Mount Sterling; a great-nephew, Brian Tomas Hester of Wallingford; a great-great-nephew, Benjamin Gulley; and two great-great-nieces, Abigail Gulley and Claire Gulley, both of Mount Sterling.

Most of Norma’s life was spent in the Hillsboro area, where she was a well-known seamstress and Hutton Funeral Home employee. She grew up on the family farm, graduated from Hillsboro Elementary School, and attended Fleming County High School. During World War II, Norma traveled to Cincinnati, where she worked downtown in Carew Tower doing garment alterations and weaving for some of the city’s finest department stores, such as Pogue’s and Shillito-Rikes (now Lazarus). When she returned to Hillsboro following the war, Norma continued her work as a seamstress and tailor. Very proficient at her craft, Norma’s clientele greatly appreciated the perfection of her work and her ability to design and sew an outfit without a pattern. Fashion was always an important part of Norma’s life. At all times, she was stylishly dressed and meticulously groomed. In the early 1970s, Norma left her seamstress shop to become a secretary and greeter for Hutton Funeral Home, as well as the caregiver for Mrs. Hutton, her mother Mrs. McKee, and later Mr. Hutton. A resident of the Hutton Funeral Home for more than 30 years, Norma left in 2003 to care for her brother who was in declining health. In 2006, she became a resident of Windsor Care Center in Mount Sterling where she met new friends and remained until her death.

Services will be conducted 11 a.m., Thursday, March 31, 2011, at the Hutton Funeral Home with the Rev. James Paul Humphries and Brother Gerald Saunders officiating.

Burial will follow in Hillsboro Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brian Hester, Kenney Gulley, Ben Gulley, Jim Sauer, Jewell Call, Stevie Call, Benny McDonald, Gerald Saunders, and William Thompson.

Visitation is after 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at the Hutton Funeral Home in Hillsboro.

View or sign guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com.