Norma Blewitt Hofmeister Howarth

January 1, 2005

    Norma Blewitt Hofmeister Howarth, 76, a longtime resident of Scranton, died early Saturday morning at Moses Taylor Hospital after an illness. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Francis C. "Buddy" Hofmeister, who died in September 1971, and her second husband, Robert J. Howarth, who died March 19, 2001.

    Born in Scranton, daughter of the late John D. and Beatrice Worell Blewitt, she was a member of Holy Name of Jesus Church, East Mountain, and a graduate of Scranton Technical High School.

    A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she loved her family and will be missed by her family and friends.

    Surviving are three daughters, Barbara D'Oria, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Diane Tansits and JoAnn Conte, both of Scranton; two stepdaughters, Doreen Barresse, Scranton, and Eileen Day, Dunmore; a sister, Betty Boniello, Dunmore; eight grandchildren, Michael Howarth, Melanie Howarth, Cory Tansits, Marty D'Oria, Kristen Tansits, Ryan McLain, Tara McLain and Ricky Conte; a great-grandchild, Isaiah McLoe; and several nieces and nephews.

    She was preceded in death by a stepson, Mike Howarth; a brother, Robert Blewitt, and a sister, Jeanne Higgins.

    The funeral will be Wednesday from the Miller Bean Funeral Home Inc., 436 Cedar Ave., with Mass at 10 a.m. in Holy Name of Jesus Church, East Mountain. Interment, private at the convenience of the family.

    Friends may call Tuesday, 4 to 8 p.m. Contributions may be made in her memory to the American Heart Association, 730 Pittston Ave., 18505-4103.