Norma Murray
Norma Murray, 91, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2022 at Gorham House in Gorham, Maine.
Norma was born on July 23, 1930 to Geneva Walls Clark and Howard Clark. She grew up in Otter Creek and attended high school in Bar Harbor. Among her many happy high school memories was cheerleading - even though she was always the shortest, and she saved her cheerleading jumper and BHHS letters with pride. She also frequently recalled great memories of chumming with good friends, Jean and Virginia. After high school, Norma attended Sargent College in Boston, now part of Boston University and stayed in touch with college friends throughout her life.
On November 5, 1949, she married James Murray, and they settled into an apartment on lower Main Street in Bar Harbor. After their first child was born, they moved to Otter Creek to take over the store and post office from her mother. They renamed it Murray’s Market and ran it for 30 years until Jim’s retirement from the Post Office in 1982. During those years, she raised her family, played bridge, knitted countless sweaters, and was a full-partner in their business. She made thousands of Italian sandwiches that her family still things about! Eventually she became an enthusiastic golfer, and in 1980, she and three other ladies from Kebo Valley Golf Club represented Maine in the American Cancer Society Hagen National Team Championships.
After retiring, Norma and Jim built a house on Lower Main Street, not far from their first apartment! They began to spend half the year in Florida, but soon moved full-time to Clearwater, Florida where they made many friends and played a lot of golf at Cove Cay Country Club in Clearwater. Her nature was to be involved in both service and business, and that led Norma to become the first woman to be elected as the President of Cove Cay Country Club. After Jim’s death in 1993, Norma remained in Florida, but due to health concerns returned to Maine in 2010 and lived at Birch Bay Retirement Village. Once she was back in Bar Harbor, she rekindled her deep appreciation for the MDI Hospital and served as the Hospital Auxiliary President, especially enjoying the Holiday Fairs.
As her health declined, she moved to the Portland area to be closer to family.
Norma was predeceased by her parents and her brother. She is survived by: her children, Claire Ross (Russell), Gerald Murray (Alicia), and Jennifer Skelding (John); her grandchildren, Benjamin Lambert, Lindsay Ross, Kathleen Ross; her great-grandchildren Harper Delaney, Jones Lambert, Murray Kirk.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Norma’s family expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Gorham House and the staff of Beacon Hospice for their many kindnesses, committed care, and unwavering support. Those who desire may make contributions in Norma’s s memory to the Lisa Stewart Women’s Health Center at Mount Desert Island Hospital.
Online condolences may be expressed below.
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