The HOPE Group

Clarinda “Rindy” (Norton) Huebner, founder of the HOPE Group, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, February 26, 2013. She was 66 years old.

Rindy was born, raised and educated in Pittsfield, MA. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Stanley and Dayl Norton. After graduating from Pittsfield High School, Rindy went on to graduate from Forsyth Dental School. She worked as a Dental Hygienist for many years. Rindy, 33 years ago, suffered the tragic stillborn loss of her son Mark. In her pain and anguish, Rindy realized that countless other families have gone and will go through the same pain. After the loss of her son, Rindy reached out to other parents who suffered such a loss and founded The HOPE Group which is a peer support group for parents who have suffered the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Rindy and the other members of the HOPE Group wanted to help other parents endure those empty days and months because they know how hard they are. Rindy and others have experienced that heartbreaking day when they left the hospital without their baby in their arms. Rindy’s single most important purpose was to help other parents grieve; as well as offer support during the anxious times of subsequent pregnancies. Through this group, Rindy has made contact with hundreds of couples through meetings, letters, and thousands of phone calls. It wasn’t unusual for Rindy to receive a call from a hospital asking her to counsel a family. Rindy never forgot those she helped over the 33 years and always remembered the anniversary of a baby’s passing with an annual care note. Rindy’s compassion and empathy helped countless families get through the darkest times of their lives.

Rindy was very involved in the community of Burlington where she had many friends. She had a love of flowers and would spend hours working on her flower gardens at her home. She was also a longtime member of the Burlington Garden Club. She was a very active member of the United Church of Christ Congregational church serving on the Missions Committee. She was her daughter’s biggest fan when she swam and played tennis competitively. Rindy relished the time spent with her dear family and friends, vacations in Maine and seeing her daughter marry and be honored in the Burlington Athletic Hall of Fame. She has left lasting footprints on the hearts of her family, friends, and those she comforted in the HOPE Group.

Rindy was the beloved wife of 44 years of Dennis A. Huebner, She was the loving mother of Karen Alissa Calandrelli & her husband Joe of Burlington and the late Mark Edward Huebner. She was the sister of Susan Kanak and her husband Jim of Wells, ME and Mary Dayl Norton-Geer and her husband Jon of Lowell. Rindy was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Monday, March 4 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM. Memorial Services will be held at the United Church of Christ Congregational, 6 Lexington St., Burlington on Saturday, March 16 at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers memorials in Rindy’s name may be made to the Hope Group c/o 5 Liberty Ave., Burlington, MA 01803, the United Church of Christ Congregational, 6 Lexington St., Burlington, MA 01803 or the American Lung Association.