Norma H. Ackroyd

Norma H. Ackroyd, 90, of Sanford, ME, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 after a long illness. She was born on February 22, 1916 in North Lebanon, ME, the daughter of Fred and Eva (Chick) Hanscom. She attended a one-room schoolhouse there. She graduated from Sanford High School in 1933 and from Farmington Normal School in 1937. She taught home economics at Sanford Junior High School. During WWII, she taught nutrition classes for the Red Cross. In the early 1950s, she wrote the "What's Cookin'?" column for the Sanford Tribune and Advocate. Later, she taught nursery school and was also a substitute teacher in the public schools. Norma was a caring and creative woman who had a passion for baking and for sharing with those in need. She was a dedicated Sunday School teacher at the Sanford First Baptist Church. She served in various leadership roles in the church's women's group. For many years she led the collection of supplies and funds to help missionaries in schools and medical clinics at home and abroad. The family wishes to thank Drs. Roland and Barbara McCall and the staffs of Maine Stay and Varney Crossing Nursing Care Centers for their many years of care and compassion. They also want to thank Beacon Hospice for their extra support in recent weeks. Mrs. Ackroyd was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Edwin T. Ackroyd. Surviving are three children, Glenn Ackroyd and his wife Libby of Skowhegan, Paul Ackroyd and his wife Gloria of Groton, MA and Jolene Ackroyd of Sanford; a sister, Ruth Brewster of Williamstown, VT; four grandchildren, Matthew, Rebecca, Michael and Ann; a niece and several nephews. Visiting hours will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, April 7, 2006 at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, located at 580 Main Street in Springvale. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 8, 2006 at the Sanford First Baptist Church, located on Main Street in Sanford. Interment will follow at Forest Grove Cemetery in North Lebanon, ME. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Sanford First Baptist Church, White Cross Missions Fund, at P.O. BOX 250, Sanford, Maine, 04073. To send the family a note of condolence, please go to the "condolence" tab at the left.