Chili – Saturday April 7, 2018. Norma B. Birch, 84, courageously departed this world for her eternal home joining her husband of 55 years James (Toby) Birch, parents Glen & Irene (Lock) Bolton, sister Joyce Coller, brother-in-law Albert Fisher, favorite aunt Florence Locke and special friends Joan Mack, Ann Kelly, Lil Holt, and Chris Ferris. Norma is survived by her sister & best friend Dorothy L. Fisher, four children: Patricia (Tracy) Wooton, Paul (Irene) Birch, Sally (Gary) Payne & Ken (Lisa) Birch, 8 grandchildren: Sarah, Ruthie, Sam, Katie, Glen, Hayden, Daniel & Jackson, brother in law George Coller and nieces and nephews.
Norma was born and raised in Batavia, New York. Her adventurous nature led her to attend Florida State University where she graduated with a degree in Social Work. She worked for Seminole County CPS for several years before marrying Jim and moving to Rochester, N.Y. where they raised their children. Norma was active in PTA, Girl Scouts and running school events. When she was not carpooling kids to/from sporting events, she was busy planning the next family celebration or packing the trailer for an upcoming camping adventure. As all her friends know, Norma was intelligent, witty and she loved everything Maine especially lobster, salt water taffy, going to the Nubble lighthouse and listening to ocean waves.
Norma had an amazing sense of humor and enjoyed making others laugh. She fully embraced life, including 21st century technology. Her iPhone was her “lifeline” as were her iPads, Amazon and texting (“googling”). Norma enjoyed bingo, casinos and scratch offs. When she wasn’t busy winning money, she was busy giving it away. Truly, her love language was giving to others ~ through her thoughtfulness she left this world a better place.
Above all, she adored her grandchildren. She was extremely proud of each one and she never missed an opportunity to ask about them as well as share their news.
Norma was a spirited fighter, quietly wrestling with more medical issues and setbacks than anyone should have to endure. She never lost her sense of humor or zest for life. She was a brave warrior through the end.
A sincere and heartfelt Thank You to Dr. Patrick Conners, the staff at URMC, RGH, MCH and Maplewood. Please join her family in a celebration of her life at Leo M. Bean and Sons Funeral Home on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers please consider contributing toward Palliative Care Education in honor of Norma B. Birch, Ithaca College Gerontology Institute, 953 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.
