Norma E. Thompson, 98, of Seminole, Florida, passed away on March 25, 2025 at her home.

 

Norma was born January 7, 1927 in her Grandparent’s home in what was at the time mostly farmland on Long Island, NY, the daughter of Norman and May (Kunath) Cowper. It was a very modest home with a handpump in the kitchen for water and an outhouse for conveniences.

 

Norma had a never-ending bucket list of places she wanted to visit, things she wanted to do and restaurants she wanted to try. Though she had few clothes and possessions growing up, Norma always had a flair for fashion. Remarkably, she continued doing her own nails and makeup right up until the very end.

 

Her former church family in Alburgh, Vermont will remember Norma as a faithful member. She loved to sing Alto with a women’s trio in church, bake and help with Vacation Bible school along with all their other activities.

 

She also was and will be remembered as “Grandma” to the many children, now adults, whom she helped mentor as a Foster Grandparent for over 18 years at the Alburgh Elementary School.

 

She cherished her relationship with Jesus, family and friends. She felt blessed to be able to care for herself and stay active. She liked to walk down our street and say hi to whichever neighbors were out and about. She loved her cat “Teddy” and also our dogs who knew her as Grandma.

 

In the past few years one of her most frequent comments was, “It looks like a beautiful day”. She loved the sunshine and weather aside from hurricane season but generally just had a good disposition and tried to find the good in everything.

 

Over the years she had various hobbies. She liked to crochet, knit and also made placemats and other articles on a wooden lap loom. She belonged to a hiking club called The Adirondack Wanderers, she used to cross-country ski with my younger brother, she both ice and roller skated, and rode a bicycle.

 

In these past few years, she enjoyed listening to David Jeremiah’s tv program and reading some of his books. She also started painting and drawing freehand. If someone gave her flowers, she would draw a picture! She also loved going to the Women of Ruth and whatever church activities she was physically able to attend. She loved her church family at Community and all the lovely friendships she made over the years here.

 

She did not travel far when she was a younger woman but later in life, she became involved with a program called Elderhostel. They offered a variety of educational and cultural experiences, and she would stay in a dorm room at various universities for a week in the summer. One year she came back having made a very artistic piece of stained glass. She also started traveling with Bev in the winters down to Florida and on many cruises to various places in the Caribbean and Mexico. The trips were beautiful and have unforgettable memories.

 

Norma went back to school as an adult and received her BS in Education from the University of Vermont in 1976 at the age of 45. That was the same year that Bev graduated from high school.

 

In 2011, Norma was honored at the Vermont State Capitol, where Governor Shumlin presented her with an award for Outstanding Community Service—a tribute to her 18 years of dedication to helping others and making a difference in her community.”

 

One of the most heartbreaking moments of Norma’s life was the loss of her teenage son, Stephen. He was a passenger in an auto accident and in a sorrowful twist of fate, he was laid to rest on what would be his 16th birthday. It was a profound tragedy, and only by the grace of God did she find the strength to carry on.

 

Norma was witty and sharp as a tack until the very end of her life. She sure did love her pecan coffee, chai tea and a slice of fruit pie each evening after dinner. She also loved her Wrigley’s chewing gum. Her secret stash of many packs was found, donated and sold at the church coffee shop a few weeks ago.

 

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Ross Funeral Home, 196 Elm Street, Champlain. Interment will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Rouses Point.

 

Arrangements are in the care of the Ross Funeral Home in Champlain. To leave an online condolence, please visit: www.rossfuneralhomes.com