Following a week of fighting for her life in the ICU, Norma Iris Tyler, age 56, passed away peacefully from respiratory failure surrounded by loved ones at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania on August 11, 2022. She was born October 2nd, 1965, to Carmen Rodriguez and Felix Alvira in Brooklyn.
She is survived by her six children, two adopted children and only grandchild, who made up the entirety of her world, Chrystal (39), Leroyah (33), Dean Jr. (30), Jean (28), Deandre (26), Deon (23), Anastasia (21) Peyton (16), and Kyro (2).
Our mother attended Kennedy High School where she realized her passion for social and medical service. From there, she worked as a phlebotomist at Montefiore Medical Center. She was an attentive mother, avid fitness enthusiast and devout Christian who enjoyed the freedom of travel, bragging about her children’s accolades, and all-around devotee of Marc Anthony and R&B music.
Her love for work was only challenged by the diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease, systematic lupus, pulmonary hypertension, and interstitial lung disease, among others. Her second chance at life happened November 17th, 2017, when she received a miraculous bilateral lung transplant. With it, our mother was able to travel across the country on several occasions to go on her first amusement park ride in decades at Disneyland, see her grandchild in North Carolina, and take her last born to his graduate school in Illinois.
There came its own trial and tribulations with her stroke which had a lingering effect on the motor function of her left arm and short-term memory loss. Despite the pressure, our mother adapted to attending physical therapy three times a week and medicine routines on whiteboards throughout her apartment to regain whatever independence she felt was at stake.
Aside from her children, Norma is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Carmen and Daniel Guzman, their daughter Amanda Guzman, along with several cousins and innumerable family friends.
Viewings will be held on Friday, August 19 from 9am to 11am at Joseph A. Lucchese Funeral Home, 726 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx. Family and friends wishing to attend the visitation virtually may do so by clicking the following link at any time during visiting hours Tyler Visitation Then guests will depart at 11:30pm the same day to attend the burial service at Rosehill Cemetery, 355 Linden Avenue, Linden, New Jersey. Family and friends wishing to send flowers or gifts may contact the funeral home at 718-828-1800 for coordination if needed.
I am so sorry to hear about this. My heart goes to the family.
In a moment of my life when i was beyond confused when my daughter signed up to go for US Marines Bootcamp she gave me so much relief and her words were like a soothing balm to my sore and worried heart.
I know words can’t help make you understand this loss but know i am thinking of you, and praying the Lord gives you peace to understand this. Now she is not suffering anymore and is watching all of us. Rest in peace beautiful lady.
From the Rodriguez/Cardona family,
Miss Norma, we love and adore you! You will truly be missed. This world will not be the same without you. Your presence was elegant and loving. Every time I was around you, I felt nothing but love. Same with my children. Watching you raise your children into the adults they are now is amazing!
Promise to continue passing on all you have taught me about loving and caring for others. Again we love you ma’am! Rest in Heaven love.
I met Norma in 1988, where we both resided in the same private house on 219th & Carpenter Ave. We became very good friends & for the last 5 years we were talking, but mostly texting each other everyday. We always encouraged & prayed for each other. She was a beautiful person inside & out. She will forever live on in my heart. I am truly going to miss dearly. My deepest condolences to her family.
To my beautiful and wonderful cousin, I will always remember how you too braid my hair every week because your aunt my momma couldn’t deal with my hair lol, you will always take me and my sister to the parks and take lots of pictures, you was and will always be a great inspiration to our lives , You was and will always be a great mom, Niece, cousin and sister to all of us, we love you 4 ever and will miss you dearly my sweet cousin, I’m happy that your no longer suffering from the disease (F*kLupus) but I’m sad for that to happen god needed a strong angel like urselfYour the best Guardian Angel we could ever ask for give hugs me kisses to ur mom my titi and everyone in heaven from us. Love you Norma May you S.I.P mama ❤️
Omw I didn’t know Norma passed away until this year. My youngest sister went to find Norma on Google. That is how she discovered that Norma passed away. Mywhole entire family knew Norma from the time we lived in the same private house on Grant Avenue. I have soooooo many fond memories of Norma. She taught my sisters and I how to rollerskate. She taught me how to paper curl my hair. Norma was our sister from another mother. She and my oldest sister was more closer in age. They were so admired and adored. I am so very, very saddened that had lost contact.(We located here and there). Norma was a beautiful, sharing and loving caring person. My condolences to Norma entire family. We were family. She will be truly missed.
May your journey be wide and free, and may you always envelope your kids and let them feel you inside of them.
My heart is heavy for the loss of a magnificent woman, I am so blessed to have known. Intentional, protective, safe, fun, loving, a heart of gold, a walking angel.. Norma opened her heart, arms & home to me, unconditionally, when I needed it the most. Her love was so immense, she had so much to give so many and it still never took away from her or her loved ones.. Her love has no bounds.. She successfully raised her children to be as loving, caring, accepting, persevering and outstanding as she exhibited herself. I have always been so grateful for the presence of her and her family. She had the essence as if she would live forever and for that, I’m sure she will, in anyone that has been blessed enough to have known her. Norma was there as a shoulder to lean, cry and laugh on and as my chosen family, she advised, encouraged & accepted me as I am, as if I was one of her own. It aches my heart to know I’ll never be able to share moments like those again with her, and only in spirit.. Norma fought long and hard to give her children the best quality of life with her in it that she was capable of giving, for as long as she could.. With that being said, I want to believe she is free and at ease and may she rest peacefully.. May her children and family continue to be protected, guided and given the strength that is needed to heal.. You are tremendously missed & loved
I’m very selective and guarded in regards to who impacts my life. From the very first day I met this beautiful soul, I addressed her as mom. The time and words that she shared with me, made me feel loved, heard, and understood. She helped me take my deepest hidden pain and transformed it into compassion and peace in her own way. She gave me the love of a mother that I needed in the absence of mine. I am truly going to miss her smile and beautiful soul. Heaven is gaining a very powerful and encouraging soul that will be missed by many.
I’m so sorry to hear about this my heart goes out to the family even though I just met ms Norma about 2 months ago I was one of her home health aides we clicked right away I told her about some issues I was having with my teenager son and she gave me some great advice on how to get him back on track I then told her about my breast cancer and I was having surgery and I had to leave her for a few even tho she was going through her own personal things she was so worried about me texting me kind words as often as she can thank you so much for everything thank you for allowing me to help you as much as I can
I’m so heartbroken I wish I could’ve had more time with you, you will be missed my condolences to your kids and your family
Ms. Selina
Knowing Norma was a blessing. When I was a struggling teen in HS I met her daughter Leroyah and that is how I got to know Norma and her family. Norma showed me so much kindness, compassion, and generosity. I am forever in debt to her spirit for all the love she showed me and my brothers during a rough time when our own mother could not properly care for us. Norma stepped up as the role model she was and helped us in ways that truly saved our lives. She lives on in all of our hearts, especially the ones of her wonderful children. -Ra Ruiz Leon
My deepest condolences to you & your family. It was an honor to have met your mom. Prayers for you and the family in your hour of need. May God comfort you and ease your pain. May she rest in peace and be an angel at your side.
In all of the time that I’ve known Norma she was always such a positive and beautiful soul. She had such a profound love of life and those she surrounded herself with. She was a beautiful human being who shared her love with so many. Norma will always be missed and I’m honored that I was able to experience her in my life in the times that I did. Rest In Peace forever Norma. We know that you will always be in our hearts guiding us with love.
Knowing Norma was knowing what true unconditional love and support felt like. It did not matter if she had known you for 5 minutes or 5 years, you were instantly enveloped by her kindness and warmth. At times, it was near impossible to remember that Norma was sick because she maintained such a positive outlook on life and she looked great doing it! There was never any hesitation when it came to putting others ahead of herself.
There was a moment in high school, through an accident, I could have been in jeopardy to graduate. I was afraid to tell my parents. Leroyah informed her mother of the situation and the following week, Norma showed up to talk to the principal on my behalf. No one had ever made that kind of effort for me. She was an amazing selfless woman.
I absolutely adored the relationship Norma shared with her children. She was accepting, attentive, caring, trusting – honestly, the list can go on forever. I consider myself blessed to have known Norma. She instilled the best qualities in her children and they are all intelligent and beautiful souls. My heart goes out to each and everyone of you! Love you guys!
My sister Aida, just shared this sad news with my surviving sisters. Norma was close friend of my late sister Lisette and there was many great memories of laughter and fun. I have a photo of Norma and I from my elementary school graduation, if I find the photo I share it here.
My heart is broken that never got to see Norma and the family that she created and loved. Crystal is the only one her children that I met albeit she was but an infant at the time.
My condolences to her loving family and friends. I love and will miss you Norma, I wish I would’ve seen you before your passing.
Love,
Charlie
I am hurting Charles.
My God, I can’t believe this. I have been trying to find Norma for years. My heart is hurting She was like an older sister to me. She and my late old sister Lisette were best friend. Unfortunate, my oldest sister Lisette passed away on April 6, 2020. We lived in the same building on 166 st 1098 Grant Ave, Bronx, NY. Norma taught me how to roller skate and perform a lot tricks. The last time I saw Norma, she was pregnant with Leroyah and gave birth to her the same day. Norma was a very loving and giving sister. I also remember Crystal. Norma also spoiled us alot. My dear sis, Norma, RIP in peace. I love and miss you so much. You’re with your best friend Lisette in heaven. I’m glad that you’re not suffering anymore. ❤️
I am so sorry, I was caught up in the moment. My condolences to my extended family.