Norma Mae Occhionero

Waterford - Norma Mae (Vallee) Occhionero, 91, passed away Dec. 1, 2013, with her family by her side.

She was born on July 1, 1922, to Raymond and Mary Enos Vallee. She spent her adult life in Quaker Hill but was currently residing at Crescent Point in Niantic until she lost her three year battle with Alzheimer's disease.

On Nov. 27, 1943, she married Michael Occhionero, who preceded her in death on Nov. 10, 2012, two weeks shy of their 69th wedding anniversary.

Norma graduated from Chapman Technical High School in 1940, and was instrumental in organizing the first class reunion after nineteen years. It was so successful that she readily agreed to host all that followed. Throughout the years she kept a journal on the happenings of every classmate.

She loved crafts, which was evident throughout her home. Her children were gifted with many ceramic figures, knitted afghans, and handmade Christmas ornaments. She loved decorating during the Christmas season, which was her favorite time of year. When the grandchildren were little, they would sit around the table as she taught them to make their own ornaments, which were proudly displayed, year after year.

Norma was in several bowling leagues, beginning with duck pins at Simpson's Bowling Alley in New London in the 1960s. She then moved on to New London Ten Pin to bowl with her daughters and later went back to duck pins to bowl in the Senior League at Family Bowl in Waterford. She loved to dance, and whenever she went to a party, as soon as the music started she was out on the dance floor, even if she had to dance by herself. She never missed the Thursday night dances at the Waterford Senior Center where she was an active member until her health began failing. In 2002 she and her husband were chosen "King and Queen" of the seniors and were honored that year by riding in the Waterford Week Parade.

The thing she loved most, however, was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were constantly gathered at her Quaker Hill home. Among her survivors are her four children, Sandra Hocking (Raymond), Richard (Janice Shelbum), Michael (Jody) and Debra (Robert Bradshaw), who were constantly by her side throughout her illness. "Nana Occh" will be greatly missed by her seven grandchildren, Mark, Richard, Michael, Jennifer and Danny Occhionero, Dina Occhionero Greene and Gina Marie Kent. She also leaves six great-grandchildren, Gracey, Jack West and Stella Occhionero, Madison Greene and Eliana Santiague. Unfortunately, she never knew of the three youngest. She also leaves her sister, Lorraine Battin in Arizona, as well as several others who have played an important part in her long life, including her favorite staff members at Crescent Point, who loved and cared for her during this difficult time. Her children are grateful for the Hospice care that helped make the end of her life more bearable.

Her family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. Guests are asked to gather at 12:30 p.m. on Friday for a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Church, 17 Squire St., New London. Interment will be in Jordan Cemetery, Waterford.