Norma Frances Clark
June 2, 1923 ~ March 10, 2020
South Portland - Norma Frances Clark, 96, died peacefully at Birchwoods at Canco Assisted Living Community in Portland, ME on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. She was born on June 2, 1923 in Portland, ME, the eldest daughter of Fred S. Baker, Sr. and Ada F. Mitchell Baker. She was educated in the Portland schools.
Most of her life, Norma was a loving homemaker. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She will be remembered for her deep faith and her dedication to family. She cherished family gatherings with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her favorite pastimes were walks and ocean views at Mackworth Island, Fort Williams and Bug Light. She was an excellent cook and baker, and in the 80's, she developed a passion for journal writing, compiling much history about her personal life and experiences.
After raising her family, she was employed as a manager of dining services at Southern Maine Community College for thirteen years, retiring in 1987. She resided in her home on Highland Avenue in South Portland for close to 30 years. In 2002, she sold her home and moved to the Betsy Ross House in South Portland, ME. She enjoyed living there and embraced new friendships and having more time for family and friends. She was a longtime member of Grace Bible Church of Gorham, ME. Her church family played an important role in her life. At the age of 96, she continued to attend Sunday services regularly.
Norma was predeceased by her parents; two husbands, Philip MacDonald, father of her children, and Herbert Clark; and a sister, Rosalie MacDonald. She is survived by her children, Sandra K. MacDonald of Old Orchard Beach, ME, Philip S. MacDonald and his wife Olivia of Boynton Beach, FL, Michael E. MacDonald and his wife Dottie of Buxton, ME, Cindy G. Mellin and her husband Chris of Port St. Lucie, FL, and Ruby E. MacDonald and her partner Brenda of Brunswick, ME. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Pamela, Mary, Michael, Stacie, Terry and Carey; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A private viewing for her family will take place on Friday, March 13, 2020, from 3:00PM to 5:00PM followed by public visiting hours on Friday, March 13, 2020, from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at the Conroy Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway in South Portland. A private family burial will be held at Brooklawn Memorial Park, 2002 Congress Street, Portland on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 10:00 AM. Family and friends are invited to share in a memorial service on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 1:00 PM at Grace Bible Church, 74 Deering Road in Gorham, ME. Services will be conducted by Pastor Robert White followed by a gathering in Fellowship Hall at Grace Bible Church to celebrate Norma's life. To view Norma's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
Those considering an expression of sympathy are invited to make a donation in Norma's memory to Grace Bible Church of Gorham, P.O. Box 698, Gorham Maine 04038
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Dear Dan, thank you for your love of my mother. We don’t know each other, but my mother spoke of you often and I have heard many stories about you over the past week including at the graveside service and church service yesterday! I also thank you for the beautiful basket of flowers that adorned the setting at her service. The service and fellowship celebration of Norma’s life yesterday were events to behold. You would have been moved beyond words without doubt. I wrote a tribute to my mother that I would be happy to share with you, along with other stories of her life, past and more recent, if you like. Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures of her. She was always very photogenic. She’s so cute and animated and of course looks her best in blue because of her eyes. My email address is remacd@comcast.net. Please keep in touch and thank you again for your love of my mother. Ruby, her youngest daughter.
– Ruby MacDonald
My condolences to Norma’s family. She was a dear friend to me and a prayer warrior.
– Lorraine Bureau
Dear Lorraine, thank you for your condolences and your love of my mother. I’m sure she’s still maintaining her post as prayer warrior extraordinaire. And now she has a seat at the head of the table; I’m certain of it! She was an amazing woman, the degree of which is really just now coming into full focus. She touched so many peoples’ lives in such deep ways. I know she wants us to be as happy and joyous and positive as she was when she made her own decision to take Jesus’s outstretched hand and go home. I know that for a fact because she told me so with some of her last breaths. She was so at peace with her decision, and that soothed my aching heart in a big way. Take care and be well, Lorraine. Ruby, Norma’s youngest daughter.
– Ruby MacDonald
Thank you so much Bonnie. I too remember these women getting together regularly to play bridge. This would have been what, 50 years ago by my estimation; I was very young. I remember June and Delores and Kay like it was yesterday. The pastimes they shared were significantly special to my mother affording her a social outlet that she so thrived on in the midst of her motherhood and homemaker life. I almost want to say the couples got together from time to time to play cards as well. Was it Delores and Robert and June and John and I’m drawing a blank on Kay’s husband’s name. I may have gotten the Robert and John wrong too! I would love to see your pictures. I have none from their escapades! I will check with the funeral director but it was my understanding that the video of photos that we had at the viewing and the service was supposed to be accessible on this website as of yesterday. I will check on that tomorrow so stay tuned. Always great to reconnect even if generations removed and you and I never met! That said, I do remember that June had a daughter Bonnie! And you lived on Cumberland Avenue, correct? Thank you for your love and support. Ruby, Norma’s daughter.
– Ruby MacDonald
Hello Simone! No more loss of contact with all cousins! Please, let’s connect. I would love to share with you many, many stories about our family, past and present. My mother was very much alive and she was a remarkable woman about whom you would undoubtedly enjoy many stories. As you know, I am the youngest of my mother’s five children, all of whom are well. I had no idea where you were and was elated to see your post. I must tell Sandy (who will be 80 years old next month) as I know you two were close in your younger years. I will be able to bring you up to date on several of your cousins, from my family and Uncle Maurice’s family. I’m wondering about Sonny, with whom I had some contact within perhaps the last decade but then lost touch. I wrote a tribute to my mother for her service and would love to share it with you once I get it typed up. My email address is remacd@comcast.net. Please contact me via email so we can exchange phone numbers. Thank you getting in touch via your post. It would warm my mother’s heart!
– Ruby MacDonald
Norma is a hero of faith to me and the people here at Grace Mission Church of Seoul, South Korea. Her personal relationship with her Savior, Jesus, and her faithfulness to pray for people daily from her “prayer chair” have inspired us all. I look forward to meeting her again in heaven. — Dan Dunbar
– Dan Dunbar
My sincere sympathy, Miss you every day. Always enjoyed helping you with your jigsaw puzzles when you were stuck. Love and miss you.
– Cheryl Barter
I just came across your mom’s name as I read the obituaries from Portland every day. I had no idea she was still alive. I’m so sorry for your loss. I have a lot of good memories from my childhood when we would all get together. Especially Sandy. I’ve lost contact with all my cousins except Bruce. I’m happy you all have each other. Stay close.
– Simonne L. Ware
Norma was a lovely lady and one of my Mother’s, June Bowman, best friends. Norma, Kay Rowe, Delores Bowman and my Mother, June Bowman were lifelong friends: they got together regularly at each other’s house to play bridge: they supported each other throughout their lives. I have several pictures of these 4 women through the years. I am sorry for your loss. Bonnie Bowman Lundquist
– Bonnie Bowman Lundquist
I am so sorry for your loss. Norma was such a beautiful and wonderful person. My prayers to the family.
– Cheryl Barter
Thank you, Cheryl. You were a dear dear friend to my mother, Love Ruby
– Ruby MacDonald
Cheryl, you and John have been so loving and so supportive throughout the last weeks and hours of my mother’s life. She loved you both so much and appreciated all you did for her throughout your deep friendship. I would love to stay in touch with you and share stories about my mother. I will definitely reach out to you in the near future and you are more than welcome to call me (or text if you text) or email me (I think you have my contact information; if not, Diane does). I know you’re hurting right now, and my heart goes out to you. I miss her desperately already and my heart aches to have her in my presence. But I know she is exactly where she wanted to be and has so much peace and joy and comfort now that she’s there. Take care of yourselves and know I am thinking of you and sending wonderful Norma vibes! Ruby
– Ruby MacDonald