Norma Jeanne Bissett (née Oakes), 76, of Winfield, IL, formerly of Wheaton, IL, passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025. She was born on July 14, 1949, in Boston, MA, to Norman Oakes and Margaret (née Cousin).

Norma grew up in Boston and attended Jamaica Plain High School.  As a child Norma took dancing lessons and aspired to be a dancer, however as with so many of us life got in the way.  Moving around the country frequently with her husband, Norma continued her education, attending various colleges at night.  She received her Associates Degree in Accounting from College of DuPage. Norma worked as an Accountant for the A&P Tea Company in Columbia MD and in Chicago, where she headed up their Regional Payroll departments. Later in life she started her own Bookkeeping business before becoming a real estate agent and worked for Prudential Spengel Realty.  She attributed her interest in real estate to having to buy and sell so many homes for the family as they moved around the country.  Norma took great pride in helping families find just the right home.

Norma met the love of her life Kenneth "Ken" Bissett in 1969 at Zayre Stores in Roslindale MA where they both worked.  The two were married on June 5, 1971, at Saint Andrews United Methodist church in Jamaica Plain, MA. Together they moved to Dorchester and began raising a family. Over the years they lived in Framingham MA, Bellingham MA, Columbia MD, Naperville IL, Long Island NY and Monroe CT, before settling in Wheaton, IL in 1988. In 2010 they move to a smaller home in Winfield.

Norma loved her life in Wheaton and Winfield.  She donated her time to the local Family Shelter Service to help victims of domestic violence.  She was a member at Glen Ayre Swim and Tennis Club and HealthTrak where she played on the women's travel tennis teams.  She was an enthusiastic golfer and an avid Pickle Ball player.  She also loved playing Bridge with her girlfriends. Even during the Covid shutdown, they played weekly online.

Norma was admired for her compassionate approach for resolving life situations.  She always found the right thing to say to defuse any disagreements, and made everyone feel at ease. She was usually the voice of reason.  When there was a problem, her friends had a slogan – "WWND" – "What Would Norma Do."

Norma was a passionate Jimmy Buffet fan.  As a devoted parrothead she loved organizing busloads of friends to attend his concerts. At her son's wedding she performed an especially memorable rendition of Cheeseburger in Paradise.  She was also quick to grab a wooden spoon for a microphone, and get her girlfriends to join her in a rendition of R-E-S-P-E-C-T ala Aretha Franklin. She was a founding member of the Red Wine Society – a group of girls who relished socializing every month.  As a soccer mom, she followed her son's team around the country and overseas.  Along the way she developed lasting relationships with other parents that continued well past the days of soccer.  Those days and memories were a treasure for her.

Although she spent many summers as a child vacationing in Maine, she fell in love with Hilton Head Island where the family spent much of their free time.  She loved to travel. She and Ken made several trips to Europe with friends.  Above all Norma was a devoted mother and wife.  Her family, her RWS girlfriends and everyone who knew her will miss her deeply.

Norma leaves behind her loving husband Ken Bissett; her dear children John (Sandra) Bissett, and Kevin Bissett; her adored grandchildren Mallory Bissett, Andrew (Tina) Silva, and Monica (Clayton) McLure; and great grandchildren Leo, and Olivia.

Norma was preceded in passing by her parents, Norman and Margaret, and her sister Nancy Guastafero.

Norma loved animals. In lieu of flowers donations to ASPCA.org or DupageAnimalFriends.org in Norma's memory would be appreciated.

The Visitation will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187.