Saturday, July 13, 2019
I’m so sorry to hear of Norma’s passing. I met Norma 28 years ago, when I moved into my first home in Lake Hopatcong. As a 23 year old new homeowner, I watched in awe as my next door neighbor Norma (who was 3 times my age) mowed her lawn, cleaned her gutters, painted her house, dug trenches, etc. “Mrs. Lilley” as my daughter Kelly and I always addressed her, was a really neat lady. Many chats we had leaning on the fence that divided our yards. Norma would light up as she talked about dancing - we shared stories of working with numbers; the men in our lives; my love of dogs and her vocal beagle from years ago. She watched Kelly grow along side three silly Labrador retrievers over those years. Offering plenty of advice, Norma was never one to mince words. I always knew what she thought I was doing wrong, LOL! I’ll not forget how absolutely thrilled Norma was with her new porch when it was constructed – she spent so many afternoons relaxing there. Although it was best for Norma’s well-being to move near Shirley, I was truly sad to see her leave. It still feels strange to see others in Norma’s home – of course we’d never tell her that...she always thought I was keeping an eye on 25 Harbor Drive until she returned. One day I happened to be inside Norma’s home and I saw that she had framed the annual Christmas photo cards of my daughter and our different dogs through the years...clearly she had felt a connection to us too – that made me happy. Rest in peace Mrs. Lilley.
