Hundreds gather at fairgrounds for Norma Moye’s celebration of life
‘The queen of Paso Robles’ passed Dec. 15
– More than 500 people attended a Celebration of Life for Norma Jean Moye, who died Dec. 15, 2025. The event was held Saturday morning at the Estrella Building at the Mid-State Fairgrounds.
Norma served as Director and CEO of the Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association from 1992. She created many annual festivals and events, including the Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase, the Teddy Bear Tea, the Lavender Festival, and the Light the Downtown Christmas Ceremony.
Her guidance brought national recognition to the Paso Robles Main Street Program. She also co-founded the Paso Robles Historical Society and centralized the Society Museum within the original Carnegie Library building. She organized the volunteer effort to restore the City Park Bandstand.
She won many awards over the years. In 1985, the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce named her Roblan of the Year. In 2001, she was named California Main Street Executive Director of the Year. In 2004, Norma was honored with the Woman of Distinction Award by Cuesta College. She was named Pioneer Day Queen in 2013.
Chad Stevens and Bobby Horn served as Masters of Ceremonies of the event. A number of local citizens spoke, including Jeffry Wiesenger, the Interim Executive Director of Paso Robles Main Street. Daughter Patti Baldwin and son Vince Vanderip also spoke about their mother, the “Queen of Paso Robles.”
At the conclusion of the event, those in attendance sang “Downtown,” made famous by Petula Clark. That’s the song Norma used as her phone’s ringtone.
Norma died on Dec. 15, 2025, two days after her final Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase. She was 92.
Im so sad that my best friend Norma didn’t have anyone videotape her memorial. I had no idea of the magnitude of this woman’s worth. I knew she was special and did many great things for this town, but until her memorial, I had no idea just how much. I know we were all sorry it wasn’t put on video… Just one of those unfortunate mishaps. Think about you everyday my friend.
Im so sad that my best friend Norma didn’t have anyone videotape her memorial. I had no idea of the magnitude of this woman’s worth. I knew she was special and did many great things for this town, but until her memorial, I had no idea just how much. I know we were all sorry it wasn’t put on video… Just one of those unfortunate mishaps. Think about you everyday my friend.