NORMA JEAN MARSHALL

NORMA MARSHALL Obituary

MARSHALL--Norma Jean (nee Tonkin), passed away peacefully at her home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, on January 10, 2012. Greatly loved by all who knew her, Norma is survived by her husband James, and son Andrew; grandchildren Nick, Jamie, and Isabelle; daughter-in-law Mary Jane DeWeese; and sisters-in-law Linda Marshall and Margaret Ashton. Born to Gordon and Maude Tonkin in Australia, Norma was a practicing nurse in the early years of her career. She came to New York City in 1960 shortly after her marriage to James in Montreal. James and Norma moved in 1967 to Park Slope in Brooklyn. Most of Norma's middle and later years were spent as an active volunteer for cultural organizations, most especially the Long Island Historical Society (managing its antiques and gift shop) and then for many years at the Brooklyn Museum. She served on the Museum's Community Committee for over a decade in capacities including cultural tours, fund raising for the annual Museum Ball, and originating the Women in the Arts Program. An avid traveler, she explored many countries on five continents, and transmitted her love of travel to her husband and son. With an extremely generous heart and a genuine love of people, she made friends everywhere and captured the hearts of all whom she encountered. She filled her family and friends with joy and kindness, and so while her loss is deeply felt, she has left the world a sweeter place. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 4 from 2-3pm in the chapel at Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th St., Brooklyn, NY.

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Published by New York Times on Jan. 15, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for NORMA MARSHALL

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10 Entries

Kelly/Judy Howard

January 9, 2021

Norma, dear one: You're still in my thoughts and in my heart. You were always so generous with your time; I am ever grateful for the many times you 'took me under your wing'. I still miss you.

March 4, 2012

Dear Jim, Andrew and family,
Unfortunately I have been off the air and unable to convey my feelings until now. Over the years we have spoken of Jim, Norma and Andrew in NYC. Mum (June) would often get upset missing Norma. I believe that as Mum and Norma moved on into later years they would have liked to have been closer. I spoke with Norma quite of few times before Mum passed never thinking Norma would follow so closely. Maybe they are together again, who knows. Please accept our sympathy Cheryl, Michael & Rebecca.

Marnie Wilson

February 3, 2012

Dear Jim, Andrew & family
What sad news to hear of the passing of Norma-my great aunt. Not officially so, however this is really what she was to me. I have written a 'not-so-short' letter to her below.

Dear Norma,
I have such fond memories of my time visiting and staying with you and Jim on my several trips to the States. You were always so gracious in showing me around New York, particularly the museums of course and the many restaurants we went to. A highlight was certainly when you were able to attend my wedding in London, August 2000. This was certainly a treat and I know my nana June was particularly excited to see you on this occasion as well. I am so glad to have had you in my life and to have shared these special times together.

One fun memory I have was a time when I was working in New Jersey and had arranged to come to New York for the day to meet you for lunch. As my employer commuted daily to New York and back, chauffeur driven, I was fortunate enough to go along for the ride. After dropping my employer at his place of work, the driver continued on to the restaurant we had arranged to meet at. He asked me to go inside and see if you had arrived. You hadn't. The driver insisted that I wait in the car as he wasn't going to leave me there waiting on my own. As I waited in the car and chatted, I remember the driver, who did not know me well and certainly not had not met you, saw a lady walking along the street amid the masses from the nearby subway. He immediately pointed and said 'Here comes your aunt!'. I remember looking in rear view mirror and there you were. I asked him how could he possibly know. He exclaimed 'You look so alike!'. Well whether this is true or not, this day certainly stands out in my memory and I have never forgotten the drivers remarks. We enjoyed a lovely lunch and I believe we then continued on to the Museum of Modern Art. Yes our day would not have been complete without a visit to one of New York's finest museums. I also remember you telling me how even though you had adopted the classic 'New York' twang after many years of living there, you could never escape the roots of your "Aussie" ascent. It would always be with you. You said how grateful you were of this at times, most particularly when asking for directions in one's own city. As I am told, New Yorkers never like to admit they don't know how to get somewhere. Yes, you said you could just pretend to be a tourist and know one would question it.

Thank you for the wonderful card you sent my daughter Ava when she was born. I will read it to her one day when she is older. May you now be resting in peace. I hope you are able to say hello to my nan and keep each other company.

Lots of love Marnie, Andrew and Ava xx

February 2, 2012

Dear Jim, Andrew and Family
It has been such a long time since we have seen each other please accept my heartfelt sympathies. You must be feeling such an awful void in your life. Hopefully this will improve in time and your many friends will keep you busy.
My daughter Marnie (being the travelling Nanny) has always enjoyed the memories of her trips to New York and catching up with Norma, plus her very special visit to England for Marnie's wedding.
Unfortunately we can't be with you on February 4th for Norma's Memorial Service, but we will pray for all.
I thought an old memory or two might make you smile on this very sad day.
When I was about 10 or so (at least 50 years ago) Norma flew to Melbourne to visit the family. Mum and Dad took us to the airport for her arrival. These were the days when the plane landed you came down the stairs off the plane and crossed the tarmac to enter the airport. I was watching for Norma and when I saw Norma coming down the stairs I was staring out the window and exclaimed "What is Mum doing on the plane". Norma and Mum had the same hair colour and hair do, a French Roll, and Norma was wearing a very similar coat to my mother, quite the Audrey Hepburn girls from Breakfast at Tiffanys look. They were so alike and it was my first meeting with her, and I can still see that image in my mind to this day, the girls had the same love of travelling and fun, which luckily has been passed on to our family.
A story that stuck in June's mind, was that when they were quite young, they used to ride horses in Ballarat, one time June was put onto the horse (remember there was competition and jealousy between the girls then) and Mum always said that Norma copped a "whopping" for hitting the back of June's horse and making quite the ruckus.
I realise most of Norma's memories are of her New York life, but later in life I feel she wanted to reconnect to her younger non travelling Australian family, which she did with many phone calls and emails when possible.
An odd thing to note is this -
Children born in order to Maude - 1st June, 2nd Norma, 3rd Jimmy, 4th Ross (always considered the change of life baby)
Children died in order - Eldest Boy Jim, followed 12 months later by Youngest Boy Ross
Two Years later
Eldest Daughter June, followed 12 months later by Youngest Daughter Norma
The Tonkin Children have now all passed on and leave the torch to their children to move forward.
I wish you all good health and memories
Robyn Materazzo (niece) Australia

Richard Kelly

January 23, 2012

Dear Jim and Andrew,
I have such fond memories of New York because of your family. Something about Norma's voice always made me feel so welcome there. Well, actually, it wasn't just her voice, she also made me feel welcome by always inviting me to stay, whenever I visited NYC. My life is better for having known Norma.
Through her I know the Catskills and a large country house formerly known as Camp Rip Van Winkle, I think. It seems forever ago that she was admonishing us to play nice on the front lawn. I remember the women talking in the kitchen, and playing pool there, and I remember Norma gingerly slipping into the icy water at the base of the falls for a dip (without getting her hair wet).

I know Mum has lost a true friend, someone she valued for hours-long conversations in a friendship that started when they were teenage girls. It makes me sad to think she's gone. I'm very, very sorry for your loss.

Walter Mugdan

January 19, 2012

Jim, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with you.

showing us her adopted city in 1976

dan howard

January 18, 2012

i remember norma as being fiercely proud of her adopted new york.

we were fortunate enough to visit in 1976 to enjoy the hospitality of norma, jim and andrew.....she beamed.

i also remember visits to the shared country house in upstate new york where norma, kelly and fran and the kids would seek out antiques, splash in the waterfall and create great meals in the big camp kitchen.

they were marvelous times, she was a marvelous women with a wonderful outlook on life and inclusive presence.

so many great memories will ensure she will not be forgotten

Michelle Webb

January 18, 2012

Although we were not very close, I feel her loss. My sympathies to all our family, near and far.

January 18, 2012

My Dear Jim, Andrew, Mary Jane, Nick, Jamie and Isabelle:
You were fortunate to be her close family and, therefore, received the fullest extent of Norma's huge capacity to love and spread kindness. To reiterate what I said to Jim when he called to tell me the sad news of Norma's parting: she was never unkind to anyone, nor did she ever speak unkindly about anyone. Her other great quality was her ability to nurture which drew people to her because we all need the warmth & comfort that she gave willingly. She remained constant throughout the years: she never disappointed. Even though she had been in poor health for quite a while, her passing has affected me greatly, and it's with a heavy heart that I say the world, for those who knew and loved her, will never be the same. Although she was born in Australia, where I first met her and went travelling to Europe with her, I never thought of her as being Australian; no, she was definitely a 'New Yorker', more specifically, a Brooklyner: all of her attachments were there. My sympathies to all and may Time ease the pain of your great loss. Kelly (Judy) Howard.

January 16, 2012

Dear Jim and family,
You were very fortunate to have Norma in your lives. She was so giving to everyone, especially as a lover of the Arts. You must be so proud of the work she acomplished as President, emerita and as a member of the Community Committee of the Brooklyn Museum. With her long time friend Belle, she made the Women in the Arts luncheon a prestigious affair for the community of Brooklyn, Park Slope.
Norma will be soley missed by all of us. She can now rest in peace, free of pain.
From,
Judith Stewart
Member of the Community Committee of the Brooklyn Museum

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