Norma Harris: A century later, a life filled with Auburn community spirit

By anyone's definition, Norma Harris, who just celebrated her 100th birthday, is a true Auburn icon. Born at home on July 1, 1925, in the racially segregated "company housing" provided by the Long Bell Lumber Company in Weed, California, Norma's roots are humble. Both her parents worked in the company's box factory. Norma didn't speak English until she started school at age 7, after the family moved to Broderick and later to Sacramento. In 1953, Norma and her husband, Kent, bought Harris Welding Works in Citrus Heights from Kent's parents. Kent ran the business while Norma managed the books from home, all while raising three daughters: Joanne, Kathleen and Marilee. A year later, they moved to Applegate, where Norma founded the Well Baby Clinic and became deeply involved in local life through the Placer Hills PTA, 4-H Club, Colfax High PTC and Auburn Camp Fire Girls. Their son, Kent Jr., was born in 1962. Even with four children, Norma continued volunteering as a teacher's aide while maintaining her community activities. In 1973, Norma and Kent bought the historic Auburn Iron Works. Tragically, just four months later, Kent died of a heart attack while skiing at Boreal Ridge Resort. Suddenly a widow with a business to run, Norma didn't step back – she stepped up, enrolling in Placer Adult School's welding course, immersed herself even more in the Auburn community. She went on to serve as president of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce in 1978 and became active in numerous organizations, including: Business & Professional Women, Soroptimist International, Sons of Italy, Italian Catholic Federation, Colfax High School PTC, Sierra College Patrons Club and Placer County Contractors Association. Norma has provided scholarships to students at Sierra College, Placer High School, St. Joseph's Parish School and through the Italian Catholic Federation. Her giving spirit extended beyond scholarships. Her welding shop fabricated and donated: * Entryway gates to the Auburn Cemetery * Railings for the Old Auburn Courthouse restoration * Entry gates to the Gold Country Fairgrounds * And most notably, the Auburn Clock Tower (designed by daughter Kathleen, who also designed and donated the steel for the newer fairgrounds archways, continuing the family's legacy of giving.) In 1995, the business was renamed Harris Industrial Gases, reflecting its evolving products and customers. Norma insists she's never really retired, as she still reviews business reports on a regular basis, proving her leadership has endured. Her family proudly says that Norma "… put our company on the map." Now in its fourth generation, with Kathleen as president and her son Aaron as COO and contracts negotiator, her business continues to thrive, now with four locations in two states. Norma continues to live in the home Kent promised her in 1953 – a place she once hated for its poison oak and rattlesnakes. But now, in her hundredth year, she watches the beautiful Sierra views with her 20-year-old Chihuahua, Toby, taking in the sweeping 300-degree views that include Nevada's Crystal Range and parts of El Dorado County.