Norma Ramirez Kent, 79, of Jericho passed away on February 19, 2018 in Burlington, Vermont. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on July 21, 1938 to Jenaro Antonio Ramirez y Rodriquez and Edna Betancourt y Pomar.


Norma was a bright, brilliant, hardworking and talented woman starting from her very young days. She graduated from Central High School in San Juan Puerto Rico as well as the Puerto Rico School of Music in 1956. She went on to attend the University of Puerto Rico to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition at the same time attending a full load of courses at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico. After graduating from these two institutions she attended the University of Chicago to complete an internship and achieve her Master’s degree in Dietetics.


While at the University of Chicago she met and married Samuel Kent with whom she parented her two lovely daughters Heather and Blythe.


Norma loved her work as a dietitian. She was the director for the Dietetics program at Brigham Young University early in her career and worked in multiple medical areas over the years. She was the dietetics director of the Harvard Street Neighborhood medical center and also enjoyed her work at Mass General. She was proud to be included in the Cambridge “Who’s Who” and was not shy about expressing the fact that she was “the best”. In the most humble way of course. Her career and education was important enough that as recently as just last month she had renewed her license to practice as a dietitian.


As noted, while obtaining her bachelors degree she also completed a course of study at the Conservatory of Music. She was the first female student of the conservatory and was honored to meet and work with the world famous Pablo Casals one of the greatest cellists of all time. She played multiple instruments at the time and her love for music continued throughout her life. She loved playing the piano and would serve in her church congregations by playing the piano whenever the need and opportunity presented itself.


Her love of music included a love of dancing. During the years she lived in Massachusetts she would go dancing 5 or 6 nights a week at the big band dance clubs. She loved to dress up to go out and loved meeting people. She was always serving those she loved and made friends wherever she went. She was not a stranger to anyone.


She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and had a beautiful testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. She was a great friend to the missionaries and would bring them food weekly. She was a wonderful cook.


Norma is survived by her two daughters, Heather Kent Dickson and husband Mark of Utah, Blythe Kent of Jericho, 3 brothers Jhar Ramirez of Pennsylvania, Dionisio Ramirez and wife Mildred of Puerto Rico, Raul Ramirez and wife Judy of Florida, grandchildren Samuel Dickson; Lauren Dickson, Katherine Dickson; Emma Dickson; Ben Kent, dozens of nieces, nephews and cousins and beloved pets Scooter and Lydy.


Visiting hours will be held on Saturday February 24, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:40 with the service starting at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 73 Essex Way, Essex, VT. Burial will be in the Spring. The family invites you to please share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.