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CHESTERFIELD - Norma B. Bisbee, 77, of Bisbee Road, died Saturday, June 5, 2010, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton.
Born in Northampton, Nov. 4, 1932, Norma was the daughter of the late Manley and Helen (Clark) Bourne.
She spent her early years in Williamsburg and moved to Florence in 1943. She graduated from Northampton High School in 1950. She received her bachelor's degree from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va., in 1954.
Following college, she worked for New England Telephone Co. until she married her husband of 55 years, William H. Bisbee, and they established their home in Chesterfield. When their children were settled in school, Norma went back to college and received her master of arts in teaching degree from the University of Massachusetts.
She then began a 19-year career as a fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade teacher in the Goshen Center School. Norma retired in 1988. She was also a swimming instructor for many years both with the Girl Scouts and at her pool at home. Norma had taught more than 1,000 Hilltown children to swim during this time.
A member of the Chesterfield Congregational Church for many years, Norma was active in the Sunday School and enjoyed working with the children on their pageants. She was a leader of the Chesterfield Girl Scout Troop for many years, was a member of the Grange and also volunteered in the Northampton schools, tutored privately, and worked part-time for the National Evaluation Systems of Amherst after her retirement.
She was a lifelong Red Sox fan. During her retirement, Norma also enjoyed traveling extensively. She was very fond of the pets she had over the years including her current cat, Muffy.
Norma is survived by her husband, William H. Bisbee; three children, Donna Bisbee of Portland, Maine, David Bisbee and his wife, Vivian, of Princeton, and Dan Bisbee of North Danville, Vt.; four grandchildren, Laura, Mary, Tana and Cally; a sister, Esther P. Aste of Florence; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Norma's family would like to express their thanks to the many caring staff at Linda Manor, Cooley Dickinson Hospital and the VNA for her care.
Calling hours for Norma will be Wednesday evening from 5 to 8 at Pease and Gay Funeral Home, 425 Prospect St., Northampton. A committal service will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Center Cemetery in Chesterfield followed by a celebration of her life at the Chesterfield Congregational Church at 2 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chesterfield Congregational Church, P.O. Box 56, Chesterfield, MA 01012, for the handicapped accommodation fund. www.peaseandgay.com [1]. |
