Norma J. McNally

Born on November 12, 1948 in Providence, Rhode Island, Norma was raised in Swansea by her parents the late Yvette (Champagne) and Norman Ashley.

In addition to her loving husband Brian, Norma leaves behind four children and their families; their son Kevin McNally and his wife Lori McNally, their son Steven McNally and his wife Jennifer Dowling McNally, their daughter Ellen McNally and her partner Jonathan Bridgeman, and their daughter Chrissy McNally. She is survived by her siblings James Ashley and his wife Anne, Charley Ashley and his wife Lori, as well as Maxine Connell husband Harold. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Patti Ashley and brother William Ashley. Her legacy lives on through her grandchildren: Jacob McNally, Amelia McNally, Hunter Pearson, Sara McNally, Audrey McNally, Olivia Dai and Nicholas Dai.

Norma graduated from Joseph Case High School in 1966. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Biology from Anna Marie College in 1970, and she earned a Master’s degree in Education from Bridgewater State College while teaching full time and raising her family.

Norma taught Chemistry in public schools, primarily Apponequet Regional High School in Massachusetts for 28 years. Nominated by her students, Norma received the Who's Who in America Teachers Award for her development and lead of an environmental program where students sampled and studied the Assonet River and its tributaries.

With a passion for gardening, upon retirement from teaching, Norma began working at Redwood Nursery in Swansea, MA. Over the 14 years she was ordering plants and shrubs, designing gardens and helping in every aspect of the nursery.

With such an active life, Norma and Brian found time to restore a 1712 farm house where they raised their children. Along with Brian, she traveled extensively visiting 6 continents, 12 countries, Hawaii and many national parks. Most of all they enjoyed visiting their daughter Chrissy in Juneau, Alaska.

A woman of many talents, Norma was an accomplished seamstress, sewing most of her children’s clothes when they were young and hemming and tailoring things as they got older. In her 50’s, she began water coloring and quickly excelled at the medium. A number of her pieces are owned by family members. Beyond her many industrious talents, she was always willing to go out of her way to help a neighbor, friend or colleague, usually quietly, with no need for praise.

Norma was a devoted member of the St Francis of Assisi parish in Swansea where she served as Eucharistic minister, lector and member of Family Life Ministry and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She spent considerable time tending to the gardens surrounding the church. She was recognized for her service to the parish with the Marian Medal in 2023.

Throughout her life Norma remained a loving mother, grandmother and friend. In her final year she traveled to Antarctica, continued working at Redwood Nursery, tended to her garden, read sci-fi novels, knitted, painted and kayaked.

She will forever be remembered as a bright light with a great sense of humor to all who knew her. May her memory be a continued blessing.

Her Funeral will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 9:00AM from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00AM in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 530 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00PM. Contributions in her honor may be made to sponsor Steven McNally during PMC Unpaved, a gravel bike ride over the scenic backroads of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts to raise funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund, https://give.unpaved.org/SM0825. Burial will be private.