Norma Elizabeth Hunt McCauley 1905 - 2007

HUNT, MCCAULEY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/30/2016 at 21:07:51

Sioux City Journal
5 February 2007

Norma Elizabeth Hunt McCauley, 101, a resident of Sioux City for 63 years, and civic activist, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, at Manor Care Health Services in Chevy Chase, Md.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Sioux City.

Born June 20, 1905, in Minneapolis, Minn., she graduated from the University of Minnesota. In 1928, she moved to Sioux City to work with the YWCA. In 1930, she married veterinarian, Earl Dale McCauley and lived in Sioux City until 1991, when she moved back to Minneapolis. She then moved to Maryland in 2002.

In 1975, Mrs. McCauley was named Sioux City's first YWCA "Woman of the Year" because of her lifelong involvement in its programs for women and children, including the building of its swimming pool and establishing the inner-city swimming program. With Sioux City artist Kathleen Newell, she created a historical map of Iowa in 1977 to raise money for the YWCA.

In 1970, Mrs. McCauley was presented a United Nations Distinguished Service Award for promoting the nationwide observance of United Nations Day among school children. After she and her husband moved to their farm in 1956, where they pioneered in the practice of soil conservation, their home was a regular U.S. State Department stop for foreign visitors.

While president of her local chapter of American Association of University Women (AAUW), Mrs. McCauley helped establish the Sioux City Art Center. In 1934 she co-founded Planned Parenthood in Sioux City in 1934, and in the early 1960's. She spear-headed the successful effort for an OEO grant to the agency. She later received one of the first Margaret Sanger awards.

A lyric soprano, she sang the lead in Bellini's "Norma" at the University of Minnesota, sang professionally at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis and for many years, sang and soloed in the choir of the First Congregational Church in Sioux City. She belonged to Schubert and Travelers Clubs and was a president of the Sioux City Symphony. She was a member of Chi Omega and PEO sororities.

Her husband died in 1978. She is survived by a son, Earl Hunt McCauley of Bozeman, Mont.; a daughter, Mollie Dickenson of Kensington, Md.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two great-stepgrandchildren.

Her husband died in 1978.

Contributions may be made to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 4600 Hamilton Blvd., Sioux City, IA 51104.)