Published in the February 2, 2018 edition
MELROSE — Mrs. Norma M. (Corkum) Williams, 93, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 26, 2018.
Born in Winchester on August 17, 1924, Norma was one of two children of the late Andrew H. and Kathleen M. (Freeman) Corkum. Norma was raised in Melrose, and graduated from Melrose High School, Class of 1942. From the age of 14, Norma was a member of the Green Street Baptist Church in Melrose. She met and was married to fellow church member, David J. Williams, Sr. on June 25, 1943 and they settled in Melrose to raise a family of three children.
Norma led an active and busy life. While raising her family, she worked as a medical assistant for 25 years in Melrose. She also volunteered her love and care as a foster mother to infants through The Home for Little Wanderers. Strong and independent, Norma faced everything in life with the same inner confidence and resolve.
Norma was a member of the Melrose Women’s Club, and Circle 8 at the Green St. Baptist Church. She also loved traveling with her husband Dave to destinations including Europe, South America, Alaska, the Caribbean, and Mexico. She loved maps, and served as chief navigator for Dave during their many car trips, including cross-country. In retirement, Norma and Dave spent more time at their home on Long Lake in Naples, Maine. Norma enjoyed life on the lake with boating, swimming or just enjoying the outdoors and beautiful sunsets. Most importantly, the house served as a central gathering place for summer get-togethers and family vacations for many years.
Above all, Norma’s main focus in life was always her family. She was a devoted wife, caring mother and doting grandmother. She found delight in regular trips with her grandchildren who she took on trips from Canada to Florida. Although she was willing to continue on, Norma filled her 93 years of life with wonderful memories and had no regrets. She will be deeply missed but always lovingly remembered by her family.
Norma was the beloved wife of the late David J. Williams, Sr. with whom she shared 50 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Kathleen W. Dixon of Woburn, Nancy E. Johanson and her husband Ronald of Woburn, and the late David J. Williams, Jr. and his surviving wife Julie of San Antonio, Texas. Dear sister of the late Stanley H. Corkum and his surviving wife Margaret of Reading. Cherished grandmother of Gregory Williams and his wife Roxanne, Christopher Williams, Douglas Dixon and his wife Jennifer, Dawn Coulombe and her husband Stephen, Dianne McAuliffe and her husband Michael, Suzanne DeSousa and her husband David, and Bradford Johanson and his wife Abigail. Loving great-grandmother of Shelby, Ashley, Douglas, Dane, Andrew, Emily, William, Kathryn, Elsie, and Winifred.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor of Norma’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Wednesday, Jan. 31, and for her funeral service celebrated at the Green Street Baptist Church, 179 Green St., Melrose on Thursday. Interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. For directions, online tribute or to share a memory, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
