OBIT-Norma A. Klein, 81, b:NY, dau of Howard J & Gladys [Blair] Brewer
POCASSET -- Mrs. Norma A. (Brewer) Klein passed away peacefully on April 30 at Cape Cod Hospital after an extended illness, with family at her side.
Norma was born October 21, 1928 in Brooklyn NY, daughter of the late Gladys (Blair) Brewer and LCDR Howard J. "Pa" Brewer, United States Merchant Marines. A descendant of a long line of mariners, she grew up by the sea in Bath and Bowdoinham Maine, where she often went sailing on the Kennebec River with her beloved grandfather, Charles Blair. Norma was educated in Maine and Maryland, and worked as a Telephone Operator for the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, now AT&T, for over 26 years in Maine, Connecticut, Springfield and Lowell, Massachusetts. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America (now Telecom Pioneers). A resident of Lowell Massachusetts for 45 years, she lived first in the Highlands and later in the Belvidere area, until she moved to Pocasset in 2006.
Norma touched the lives of many people through her devotion to the Catholic Church, and was a former communicant of both St. Margaret's and the Immaculate Conception church in Lowell. She was a member of the Lowell Nocturnal Adoration Society. Mrs. Klein was very proud and humbled to have had the opportunity to spend time with Pope John-Paul II and Mother Teresa at the Vatican during a visit to her oldest daughter, Sister M. Mira, in Rome, and captured incredibly wonderful photos while there. She also treasured the memory of climbing Mount Vesuvius with her daughter in Naples Italy. Norma loved music, and was gifted with a beautiful voice. She was well known in the greater Lowell area for performing over many years as a soprano with the Lowell Choral Society, Chelmsford Choral Society, Lowell University Chorus, Lowell Opera Company, St. Patrick's Players and The Seton Guild. One of her favorite memories was her singing and dancing chorus line role in a production of Sweet Charity. She was a member of the New England Genealogical Society, having painstakingly documented distant family roots back to both Queen Elizabeth and King Macbeth. She enjoyed all things maritime, and especially loved photography, poetry, history, knitting, classic movies, and crossword puzzles. Norma had a terrific sense of humor, and her children have very fond memories of her sheer joy in scaring the pants off unsuspecting trick-or-treaters at Halloween by answering the door dressed as a witch, complete with tall black hat, blackened teeth, a well-placed wart or two and crazy cackle as they approached. She was formerly married to the late Robert H. Klein of Lowell and Peabody Massachusetts.
Lovingly remembered by her beloved children, Sr. M. Mira, MC (Deborah S. Klein) of Malawi Africa, Lt. Colonel (Ret.) David S. Klein, J.D. and his wife Susan, of Harlem Georgia, Patricia Klein (Piche) Greene and her husband David of Maynard Massachusetts, and Donna M. Klein-Erdman and her husband Richard, of Mashpee, Massachusetts. Loving and devoted Nana to her cherished grandchildren: Heidi Klein, Heather Klein-King, Marc D. Piche, Belinda Klein, David N. Klein and "Nannie-Gammie" to Jonah Erdman, eight great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and countless other friends from far and wide, including her treasured lifelong friends Betty Scarponi, Beryl MacKenzie, Edna Panagiotakos, Judy O'Loughlin and Dorie Sheehan. Sister, Barbara Colos of Wallingford Connecticut and her cousin Robert Schoen of Tallahassee Florida, she was preceded in death by her brother, the late Joseph Arabas. The family wishes to thank the many healthcare providers who provided such wonderful care in her time of need, including Dr. Jennifer H. Ladner, Cara Hall, R.N., Kiki Tura, Dr. Richard Zelman, Dr. Steve Descoteaux , Dr. Robert Schlossman, Bayada Nurses Home Care Specialists of Cape Cod, Falmouth Hospital, Cape Cod Hospital, Cape Cod Hospice, RHCI, and Cape Cod Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
KLEIN -- In Hyannis, Friday, April 30, 2010, after an extended illness, Mrs. Norma A. Klein of Pocasset MA, aged 81 years. Friends will be received at the MORSE-BAYLISS FUNERAL HOME, 122 Princeton Blvd. Lowell, at Chester and Harvard Sts. on Thursday from 4 - 8 P.M. Friends who wish may make Memorial Donations in her name to Missionaries of Charity, 335 E 145th St. Bronx, NY 10451 Funeral from the funeral home on Friday, at 8:00 A.M. followed by her Funeral Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church, Lowell at 9:00 A.M. Interment in Steep Falls Cemetery, Steep Falls, Maine at 2:00 P.M. Funeral Directors Frederick W. Healy and Walter F. Bayliss, Jr. For condolences please see www.morsebaylissfuneralhome.com
Published in Lowell Sun on May 5, 2010