The History of Caring for Norma
My journey into the world of elder care and estate services began when I was just eight days old, but it took me twenty-three years to recognize the commitment that lay beneath, the realization that caring for my grandmother was more than just an unspoken bond between the two of us, but a serious commitment and a challenging passage into the unknown.
We had lost my grandfather about ten years prior, and several years later my grandmother was diagnosed with bone marrow leukemia, a reality she was reluctant to accept. But as she aged, the disease inabled her body to absorb nutrients, and compounded with onset of dementia and Alzheimers, contributed to a rapid decline in health. Trying to manage her health, keep her safe in her home and set into place all of the legal documentation that would allow me to do those things, while also working full time, suddenly hit me like an avalanche, and I had no idea where to turn.
This company is dedicated to my grandmother Norma, and to helping support, guide and assist other family, friends or caregivers through the difficult process of managing a loved one’s care.
About Norma
Norma Eloise Richey was born on October 1, 1920, in Adams County, Iowa. Her independent and adventurous nature led her to San Francisco with her mother and older sister in her early 20s, where she fondly recalled city life, including the foggy, rainy weather, working for the Navy, and enjoying martinis from the top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Norma married lifelong love and naval aviator Howard Sheley Bayes in November 1947, and despite their differences, loved him passionately her entire life. She also deeply loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her gift for nurturing a courageous and graceful spirit-whether in young children, friends, or philanthropic endeavors- was clear to everyone she knew.
Norma passed away peacefully in her home and in the arms of her granddaughter, Lindsay, on May 26, 2008, after a long battle with leukemia and Alzheimer’s.
About the Author: Lindsay
Lindsay is a graduate from the University of California Santa Barbara where she earned a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in molecular, cellular and developmental biology and immunology.
As the eldest of four siblings and the sole care over-seer for her grandmother, Lindsay has chosen to spend much of her life believing in others and supporting them along their paths. Through a variety of supportive positions, both professional and personal, she has developed gret attention to detail, very strong organizational skills and the ablity to multitask with speed, ease and efficiency while remaining calm and enthusiastic.
As a dedicated and hardworking individual, Lindsay has work experience as a Research
Associate for a publicly-held biotech company, a Junior Financial Analyst at a well known asset managemen firm in the Santa Barbara area, and is now focused on building her own company while studying for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.