Obituaries

Norma Marian Biale was born to Marian and Giacomo Biale, at the Niles Maternity Home, on December 20, 1926. She lived her whole life in Niles. Norma passed peacefully on May 25, 2016. Norma loved learning and teaching. She graduated from San Jose Normal School (now San Jose State University) and began her Elementary School teaching career at Centerville Elementary, and soon met the dashing carpenter, Harold Burns, whose shop was next to the Biale family business. Harold brought romance and excitement into Norma's life. He was the love of her life! They were married on December 19, 1949, and moved into the house that Harold built, where they raised four children and had frequent celebrations with friends and family.

Norma returned to teaching at Gomes Elementary School from 1964 - 1990. It was an open-space school and Norma became an innovative master teacher leader and was selected to receive Gomes' Presidential School of Excellence Award from President Reagan.

After the kids were on their own, Norma and Harold settled into a life centered on each other, worshiped at and supported Corpus Christi Church. They volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul and brought Holy Communion to home-bound parish members. After Harold passed on in 2008, the transition to living on her own was difficult but she maintained her faith and continued to volunteer as long as she could.

Norma is survived by her three sisters, Thelma Lyon (Deane), Jacqueline Buti and Donna Phode (Gene), by her children and their partners, Nancy Lapotin (Ron), Jack Burns (Mary Litvinchuk), Jim Burns (Celeste) and Jeff Burns (Kathie), by her five grandchildren, Nicole Lapotin (Ben White), Justine Miller (John Miller), James Burns (Jill), Jennifer Burns and Kimberly Beier (Jason), and by her six great-grandchildren, Emma and Lily Miller, Hayden and McKeane Beier and Karlie and Jimmy Burns.

Norma is at peace now in the love of her God and we will cherish our memories of her.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Corpus Christi Parish St. Vincent de Paul or other Catholic charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 2nd, from 3-5pm and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 5pm at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 37891 2ns St., Fremont, CA 94536. Private burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward, CA.