Norma Elizabeth McQuarrie

Norma Elizabeth (Lawson) McQuarrie
Norma Elizabeth (Lawson) McQuarrie passed away quietly at Shady Oaks Assisted Living, on September 8, 2024, after a long and happy life. She was the wife of the late Robert McQuarrie.
Norma was born in her grandparents farmhouse in Maine, in 1930, to parents Norman and Blanche (Crockett) Lawson. She grew up in Waterbury Connecticut where she met her future husband Robert, to whom she was married for 68 years. Norma and Bob lived in Thomaston and raised their daughters Pamela Perkins, Kim Hartz and Nancy Stancavage, and made wonderful lifelong friends.
Norma had a quiet and professional disposition which suited her varied secretarial positions at SNET, Root & Boyd Insurance, First Congregational Church of Thomaston, General Time and the Thomaston Board of Education. She was one of the first of her generation to use a computer, and she was good at it.
Normas love of books was lifelong. She was known to read a book a day, if she was allowed the luxury, and the library could locate a book she hadnt already read. After taking a creative writing course, she became a short story writer, capturing memories in detail and with humor. Visiting grandchildren and holiday trips to Maine with friends, were her favorite story topics. Her family is happy today, to have her recollections and observations in print.
Norma was known in the community as a former ballroom dance instructor for the Thomaston Womans Club dance classes, held in the 1960s and 70s. She was often approached by former students, who remembered her, and she loved it! Like many women of her generation, Norma had a wonderful sense of fashion and was always beautifully "put together ". Her fondness for gorgeous shoes was foremost, to the dismay of her daughters, who did not share her tiny shoe size!
Norma was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church of Thomaston and was a devout Christian. She loved to pray for people in need of help and was especially good at praying for employment outcomes.
Norma loved her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren and really enjoyed sharing in their lives. She loved to shop, attend church, vacation in Maine and relax with her books. Left to remember her with fond memories are: sister, Nancy Dodge, brother, Edward Lawson, daughters, Pamela, Kim and Nancy, son-in-law Matt Stancavage, grandchildren Emily (Oliver) Lewis, Joseph Hartz, Hannah (William) Greider, Mac and Daniel Stancavage, great grandchildren Finn and Bowen Lewis, Archer and Poppy Greider and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the loving staff at Shady Oaks Assisted Living in Bristol, for their care for Norma. Donations in memory of Norma to Thomaston Public Library.
Calling hours Friday September 20 from 6 to 8 pm at Lyons Funeral Home, 46 High Street, Thomaston, CT. A celebration of life for Norma will be held 10 am Saturday September 21 at the First Congregational Church, 135 Main Street, Thomaston, CT. You may visit www.lyonsfuneralhome.com for online condolences and directions.
Services
Visitation
Friday
September 20, 2024
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Lyons Funeral Home
46 High Street
Thomaston, CT 06787
Celebration of Life
Saturday
September 21, 2024
10:00 AM
First Congregational Church of Thomaston
Main Street
Thomaston, CT 06787 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Norma, please visit our Tree Store.