Norma (Caron) Whitmore of West Bridgewater MA, formerly of East Bridgewater, MA and Intervale NH, passed away peacefully at AccentCare Hospice Center on December 17, 2023, after a brief illness.
She was born in 1937 in Quincy MA, the oldest daughter of Norman and Eleanor (Strout) Caron. Norma grew up in the Wollaston section of Quincy and graduated from Quincy High School in 1955. Norma originally attended secretarial school after graduation but soon found her passion for tax accounting when she entered the working world at the Second Bank–State Street Trust Company’s Tax Department in 1956. Norma’s employment at State Street evolved into a career, spanning 52 years at several banks and financial institutions including East Bridgewater Co-Operative Bank, Plymouth-Home National Bank in Brockton, Bank of New England, Fleet Bank, and Peat Marwick. Fittingly, Norma resigned on Tax Day April 15,1995 but continued her personal tax prep business until 2008.
In 1956, Norma caught the eye of a fellow State Streeter from East Bridgewater, MA – Lennie Whitmore. They were married two years later in 1958. They settled for a short time in Norwell and then purchased their family home in East Bridgewater where they would raise their children and live for the next 30 years.
Her home in East Bridgewater eventually became the hub of the neighborhood where Norma was happy to serve the role of a second Mom to many. While living in East Bridgewater, Norma was a member of the Junior Women’s Club of East Bridgewater and served as both President and Women’s Fellowship President at the Universalist-Unitarian Church of Brockton. She developed many friendships
from her neighborhood and church that she maintained throughout her lifetime.
Her family also has the fondest memories of their annual summer vacation spent at the Wawbeek - a cottage colony in Melvin Village NH on Lake Winnipesaukee. Norma had vacationed on the Lake as a child and wanted her children to have the same experience.
Norma’s past times included reading, crafting, doing crossword puzzles, gardening, and listening to music. She and Lennie attended jazz concerts, jazz festivals, several jazz cruises, and jazz events sponsored by the New Jersey Jazz Society. They also subscribed to the BSO concert series for 18 years. Norma was an avid Boston sports fan – Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, Bruins, you name it. But most memorably she could be heard screaming at the TV on Sunday nights during the 1970’s as Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, and the rest of the Bruins dominated the ice.
Starting the next chapter of her life, Norma and Lennie bought a farmhouse named Pumpkin Hollow in Intervale NH in 1987 to which they ultimately retired. Nestled in the Mount Washington Valley, Pumpkin Hollow offered refuge while Norma recovered twice from breast cancer. Norma loved being surrounded by the mountains and it was where she was the happiest. She always encouraged family and friends to visit Pumpkin Hollow. She hosted annual summer clambakes
merging new friends with old. During the winter, she entertained friends and family for New Years Eve celebrations and countless ski weekends. An early bird, Norma would start a pot of coffee, play solitaire at the kitchen table, and watch the birds outside her picture window while she waited for the rest of the house to rise and shine.
Norma had a green thumb, so retirement offered time to devote to one of her favorite hobbies - gardening. Norma and Lennie cultivated extensive gardens at Pumpkin Hollow specializing in Daylilies. As a volunteer, Norma lent both her gardening and her organizational skills to the Mountain Garden Club. She served on the Board as Chair for Civic Improvement and participated in many events to both beautify the Mount Washington Valley as well as fund-raise for this organization. She also served as co-chair on the Lawn and Garden Committee of the Conway Historical Society. Within these two organizations, Norma felt a huge sense of community and made many cherished friendships. In 2018, Norma and Lennie moved back to the Bridgewater area to be closer to their children.
Norma is survived by her husband of 65 years, Leonard Whitmore; her daughter Jennifer (Whitmore) Mason and husband Mark of East Bridgewater, her son Cary Whitmore and wife Julie of East Bridgewater; and her sister Lucille Barone of Rockland. She was a treasured “Mammy” to her granddaughters Leah, Courtney, Kate, and Melanie and to her great-grandchildren David, Audrey, and Patrick.
A Celebration of Norma’s Life will be planned in 2024.
Donations in Norma’s memory can be made to the Mountain Garden Club at P.O. Box 913, North Conway, NH 03860.