Shirley May Normand

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved beautiful mom, Shirley May Normand. Shirley, 97 years young, passed away peacefully at home in Reseda, California, on August 25, 2026, with family and friends by her side. She was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her.

On April 10, 1929, during a big snowstorm, Shirley was born at home on Winter Street, in Haverhill, Massachusetts, a daughter of the late Ernest and Irene Dallaire. Her younger years had challenges; she was very ill for many years. She spent most of her time inside her home so that her body could heal. Shirley had to learn how to entertain herself, so she kept busy singing songs and memorized famous rhymes of the 1930’s such as; The Muffin Man, Little Boy Blue and Cobbler, Cobbler and many more. She never forgot these rhymes, later in life she ended up sharing her love for music and rhymes with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As Shirley got older her favorite pastime was reading books, she loved mysteries, action and adventure books, with romance novels being her favorite.

When Shirley was 16, her uncle Oscar helped her get a job working in a shoe factory. It was there her life changed in ways she could never imagine. She met her lifelong friend Lorrie at the shoe factory. Shirley began to enjoy life. With Lorrie and a few other friends, they would go to ball games, movies and places to dance. One night they went to the Service Men’s Club hoping to get a dance. It was here where she met the love of her life, Edward F. Normand.

Their story starts as something out of a fairytale. At the Service Men’s club a handsome man asked Shirley to dance. They exchanged names and pleasantries danced all night long until the place closed and eventually went their separate ways, not without Edward saying, “I hope we may meet again.” By chance, they did meet up again, at a well-known dance club called Teen Haven at Weirs Beach, New Hampshire. Edward spotted her once again with her friends, asked her to dance and later he walked her home. Shirley invited Edward in to meet her parents, and their love story began.

Shirley and Edward had a short courtship and were married on June 8, 1947. In May of 1948 they welcomed their first child Carol Ann. It would be six years before their next child was born. In September of 1954 Janice Marie was born. Both Carol and Janice were born in Massachusetts. Shirley was six months pregnant with her third child when an opportunity to move to California was presented to them one evening while dining with their friends Ed and Trudy. They took up their friends’ offer and with fifty dollars in their pocket two kids in tow and one on the way, they moved to California. In January of 1957 Edward Jr. was born. Shirley and Edward would have three more girls. Paula Sue was born in 1958, Penny Lorraine was born in 1961, and Pamela Rose was born in 1963. A doctor once told her that she would never be able to have children. It was just like her to beat the odds.

Throughout the years, Shirley would love and support her family with everything she had. Her love was boundless. She was an altruistic woman who loved deeply. Her kindness, playfulness and laughter will be remembered by all who have had the opportunity to meet her. Shirley was not just a housewife; she was the ringleader of the “Circus.” A fun day with our mom was when she played Lawrence Welk's instrumental tune "Baby Elephant Walk." She formed us into a circle, and we all danced around acting like elephants. It was quite comical and something we all still love to do to this day when we hear that musical piece. She was silly and loved to make funny faces that would make everyone crack up. And let’s not talk about spaghetti nights because there was something going on in that sauce; those nights usually brought out the belly laughs. Shirley also loved to entertain. She once dreamed of being a singer and dancer. Singing and harmonizing with our dad was one of her favorite fun things to do. They also loved to dance the waltz, watching their shared joy, trust and harmony brought sheer delight to all of us.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Edward F Normand, Sr. She was also preceded in death by her brother Ernest (Sonny) Dallaire, Jr., and sister Jean Lowther, daughter Carol Cortrite, son Edward F. Normand, Jr., son-in-law Leonard Garcia, son-in-law Jose Garza, grandson Antony Garcia (Tony), great niece Darnell DeShea.

Shirley is survived by her daughters Janice Garza, Paula Macias, Penny Stribling and Pamela Fisher. Her sons-in-law, Mike Stribling and Loren Fisher, Niece Mary Jennings, as well as all her lovely nieces and nephews on the East Coast and other states in the USA.

Granddaughters: Michelle Avalos, Kristi Foster, Brandy Vandervort, Jessica Normand, Gayle Fisher, Emily Garza, Jasmine Stribling, Cristina Garcia, Penny Garza, Shanin Garza, Brenda Hernandez (Soon to be Fisher).

Great Granddaughters: Gina Avalos, Isabell Avalos, Elena Avalos, Marleigh Jones, Rileigh Jones, Charleigh Jones, Jessica Perez, Julie Garcia, Jasmine Garcia, Winona Garza and Gabriella Foster.

Grandsons: Jimmie Avalos, Kyle Fisher, Richard Garza, Matthew Garza

Great Grandsons: Nathaniel Vandervort, Matthew Vandervort, Everett Jones, Ethan Garza, Ethan Hernandez-Hammer, O’rion Foster, Brandon Foster

She leaves behind special friends Jenny Garcia, Lori Garcia, Patricia (T) Greterman, Paula Baviera, Carolynn Fisher, Kris Fisher, John Fisher, the Wessig Family- Pat and Mike, Jack and Denise, Chuck, Debbie and Cody. In addition, Shirley is remembered by many extended family members and friends who will deeply miss her.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 25, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel at Pierce Brothers, with Father Manny Edgar Beltran, O.S.B. A private viewing will be held from 1:00-1:30 PM for (Family Only) and 1:30-2:00 PM (All Guest). Burial will immediately follow the services in the Valor of Honor on site at Pierce Brothers Cemetery. 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, CA 91362

Celebration of life to follow directly after the burial at Paula’s house.

Thank you to Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park Funeral Home for your services. Please visit their website and leave a memory of Shirley on her original obituary they posted.