Norma J. Mann

Norma Mann passed away peacefully at home on December 19, surrounded by her immediate family. She was a true woman of valor who lived a full life sharing her love and talents with her family and her community. Norma Joan Frank, the daughter of two Hungarian immigrants, was born in New York. She graduated from Brooklyn College and did graduate work in social work at Columbia. She began her professional career as a social worker for immigrant children in New York City. She met, Milton, the man of her dreams, at a college and they recently celebrated their 60th year anniversary. Their marriage was a true partnership.

They married in New York in 1952, then moved to Stamford, CT in 1956. Norma and Milton had three lovely daughters: Madeline, Laura and Pamela. Eventually, the family grew to include caring partners and eight wonderful grandchildren. Norma was always very proud of her extended family and their many accomplishments.

Norma and Milton shared a love for sailing and traveling. Their annual sailing adventures were along the north east coast. In their travels, a passion that they shared with their children and grandchildren, they ventured throughout the world-- Europe, Asia, Israel, the Caribbean islands, Fiji and the Galapagos.

Norma's faith was a cornerstone of her life. Her formal Jewish involvement began when her first daughter enrolled in Temple Beth El’s Sunday school 50 years ago. Her religious identification with Temple Beth El eventually led to the Sisterhood presidency, as well as serving on Temple Beth El board. Her involvement expanded to the regional level in the Conservative movement, as well. Norma became the branch president responsible for Sisterhoods of two states and five counties. Other Jewish communal activities beckoned Norma, as she became the first woman president of the United Jewish Federation of Stamford, took on leadership roles with the Jewish Family Service, the UCONN program in Judaic Studies, and the endowment group that initiated the Jewish Communal Endowment Foundation. She touched many people in her work based on the foundations of her Jewish faith. She was a role model, a broad thinker and a leader.

Norma leaves behind her beloved husband Milton, daughter Madeline Mann and her children, Travis, Simon and Elena, daughter Pamela Mann and her husband David Baron, their children, Rachel, Sophie and Zachary, daughter Laura’s partner Jo Edmondson and their children, Isaiah and Iris, her sister Connie Weiss and many adoring nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral will take place at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road, Friday December 21 at noon. The family will be sitting shiva at their home, 69 Studio Road, following the internment, Saturday evening 5:30-7:30PM, Sunday 3 - 7pm and Monday, 3-5pm. Charitable donations may be made in her honor to American Jewish World Service, the Laura Mann Center for Integrative Health (lauramanncenter.org), Temple Beth El of Stamford, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements handled by Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home. http://www.leopgallagherstamford.com/