Norman N. Voudrien

He was born in Keene, NH on February 25, 1970 the son of Francis N. and Brenda (Austin) Voudrien. Norman attended Keene High School and Keene State College.

For many years following a motorcycle accident in 1990 that paralyzed him at the age of 20, Norm worked diligently at rehabilitation and created a new life for himself. Despite the difficulties associated with being quadriplegic, he studied at Keene State College, got a drivers’ license, and worked a number of years at Comfort Keepers, Ride-Away Equipment and later worked for his dad at Fran’s of Keene...

In 2003 Norm met his future wife, Hilda, one of 10 children raised in the Philippines. In the fall of that year, Norm went over to meet her and her family. When he got there, accompanied by his mother, Brenda, and his close friend, Jim Fleury, the whole village was there waiting, and prepared a large barbeque.

In early 2004 Hilda was approved to come to the United States, and Hilda and Norm were married at St. Bernard’s Church in Keene on June 19, 2004, with a reception following at the home of Norm’s mother.

In 2006 Norm took a job at Monadnock Developmental Services providing information and referral services for families with children with special needs. Over the past seven years he was an important member of the MDS team, and also served as legislative liaison in Concord and LifeArt Community Resource Center organizer.

Norm was instrumental in creating the vision for a mixed-use, fully accessible apartment project in Keene – Unity Housing – where people of all abilities could live. His humor, competitiveness and determination – most especially his humor – were appreciated and highly valued by those who worked with him.

Just last summer Norm and Hilda hit a new high point in their lives. They brought into the world fraternal twins, Gaige and Lettah. Not to be left out in any care, Norm immediately devised a way to hold the babies and feed them, and played an important role in their everyday activities.

The unexpected cancer diagnosis in late 2013 put overwhelming pressure on the entire Voudrien family. During this difficult period, Norm and his father, Fran, were able to strengthen the bond between them. Norm looked to his dad’s fight with cancer – beating it back three times – for inspiration and guidance. Unfortunately, Norm’s battle came to an end in early June. He will be missed by everyone who knew him, most especially his young family, who will struggle for a long time to cope with life without Norm.

Survivors include his wife, Hilda; his two children, Gaige and Lettah; his mother, Brenda Beal and her husband Dick and his father, Francis” Fran” Voudrien; his sister Kelly Voudrien , his grandparents; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial celebration of his life is planned for July 19th at the Monadnock Covenant Church Base Hill Road in Keene. A fund has been set up to help provide for Norman’s children. Donations to this fund would be greatly appreciated in lieu of flowers.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 2:00pm at the Monadnock Covenant Church, Base hill Road, Keene, NH. Burial will be private. There will be no calling hours.