NORMA RUTH (BURTCHELL) WARD

 

Perth, New Brunswick & Fort Fairfield– Norma Ruth (Burtchell) Ward, 88, wife of the late Jarrard R. Ward, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends at a Perth-Andover healthcare facility, Monday morning September 7, 2015, following a brief illness. She was born May 20, 1927 in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of James H. and Annie A. (Woodard) Burtchell. Norma attended Fort Fairfield schools, was married to Jarrard R. Ward on December 24, 1945 and was a member of the Starlight Rebekah Lodge # 82, Fort Fairfield. Norma and Jarrard moved to Connecticut in 1966, where she worked for Connecticut Printers in Bloomfield, returning to Perth, NB in 1976. Norma was deeply committed to her family and friends and it gave her great joy caring for them. Norma enjoyed summers on the coast of Maine. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and although she never had children of her own, she was a motherly figure to her nieces and nephews. Norma was also an animal lover and especially cherished her companion in later years, her dog Cuddles. Norma was predeceased by her husband Jarrard on January 14, 2000; one brother, Max Woodard Burtchell; one sister, Betty McCue Walker; a half-sister, Audrey McCarthy; two nephews, A. Scott Walker and Gregory Walker. She is survived by one sister, Patricia Walker of Melbourne Fl; one nephew, James McCue and his wife Joan of Woodstock, NB; three nieces, Tamera Pompea and her husband Charles “Skip” of Jupiter, FL and Scarborough, Maine, Stephanie Walker of Hartford, CT, A. Sue Walker of Melbourne, FL; six great nieces and nephews, Amy Pompea of New York City, Sarah Pompea of West Hartford, CT, Elizabeth Pompea of Hong Kong, Jamie Clowes and her husband Scott , Nickolaj McCue and his wife Jennifer, all of Woodstock, NB, Jamie Walker of Tampa, FL; special cousins, Bettina Oviatt of Woodstock, NB, Carol Ann Rediker and Brenda Rediker, both of Fredericton, NB, Joyce Grobelewski of Beechwood, NB, Ted Woodard and his wife Barbara of Calgary, Alberta ; several great great nieces, nephews and extended family members. She is also survived by her lifelong friend, Cecil Estey of Fort Fairfield, Maine. Norma’s family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. David Bell and the staff of the Hotel Dieu Hospital for the exceptional care given to Norma during her illness. Friends may call Friday, September 11, 2015 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main Street, Fort Fairfield, where the funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Michael Fredericks officiating. Interment will follow at the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held after the interment at the Perth-Andover Baptist Church, 194 Barrett Street, Perth-Andover, NB. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Mrs. Norma Ward to the S.P.C.A., 2238, Route 109, Arthurette, NB, Canada E7H 4C2 or to the Perth-Andover Baptist Church, 194 Barrett Street, Perth-Andover, NB, Canada E7H 1C8. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com