BLACKFOOT, ID – February 2, 2018 – In honor of Norma Adams Furniss’ generous volunteer work for nearly 50 years at the hair salon at Bingham Memorial’s Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, today, it was named after her. The salon is now officially called “Norma’s Beauty and Barber Shop.” Dozens of family and friends turned out February 2 to attend the surprise naming ceremony. Chief among those in attendance was Norma herself, who is also celebrating her 95^th birthday.

Since 1971, Norma has volunteered as a “Pink Lady,” styling the hair of guests of Bingham Memorial’s Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. She has donated more than 5,000 hours of her time helping to make people beautiful. Every Friday morning Norma, with her lovely white hair, can be found curling, combing, and styling hair and bringing joy to everyone with whom she works. She does not intend to stop her weekly volunteer work, which is a true testament to her strong spirt.

“I absolutely adore Norma,” said Sheri Peck, BMH’s human resource and volunteer coordinator. “She always has a soda in one hand and a bright smile on her face! It’s an absolute pleasure to name this special place, that brings such joy and hope to so many, after her.”

This special honor also coincided with Norma’s 95^th birthday. She was born Feb. 2, 1923, in Poplar, Idaho, the seventh of nine children of Edsel Hyrum Adams and Nessie Mecham Packer. She grew up in Bingham County, graduating from Blackfoot High School in 1940.

Norma’s children are delighted to celebrate her 95^th birthday with family and friends. Everyone is invited to the Moreland LDS Cultural Hall at 175 N 740 W, Saturday, February 3 from 2 until 5 pm. Please stop by to wish Norma a Happy Birthday.

Additional information provided by Norma’s family and printed in the Morning News on Wed., January 31, 2018:

Children include: Boyd (Nancy) Rockford; Ralonna (Reed) Peterson Montpelier; Nolan (Anita) Moreland; Marla (Kirk) Hone, Belgrade, Mont.; and Rudell (deceased). She now has 30 grandchildren, 82 great grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren.

Norma has gone from riding horseback to the Hubble and using water in a peanut butter can to a computerized pivot irrigation system from the neighbors. She’s lived at a time when you had to get ice hauled out from the river to having crushed cubes from a proper kitchen refrigerator. In addition, she’s gone from cedar firewood from the lavas to a remote controlled fireplace, and from two cans and a string (as a phone) to using Google Duo (a video chat/face time mobile app) like a pro!

Norma has humbly dedicated her life to her husband, family, friends, community, and church. She is always eager to sow “seeds” and humbly share the “harvest.” She is the living example of the wisdom given to Thumper, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all!”