SALEM - Miss Norma B. James, 91, of Salem, died Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at the Renaissance Gardens at Brooksby Village, Peabody.
Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Harry D. and Gladys (Morris) James. She graduated from Salem High School, Northeastern University and earned a master degree in social work at Smith College.
A Women’s Army Corps veteran of WWII, she served until the end of the war, attained the rank of T. Sgt. and received a medal for meritorious service. She then enlisted in the reserves and remained a reservist for many years.
Prior to her retirement in 1984, Miss James was employed as a social worker for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for over 35 years, and worked out of the Lawrence office.
She loved to travel to Europe, wintered in Bermuda, summered in Maine and her hobbies included sewing and painting. She was a lifelong member of the Tabernacle Congregational Church, UCC, in Salem and was a 30 year survivor of breast cancer.
Norma is survived by one sister-in-law, Joyce James of Beverly, two nephews, Scott James and his wife Sheryl of Danvers, David James of Beverly, two nieces, Sylvia Vitale and her husband Robert of Beverly, Dr. Wendy James and her husband Jeff Morin of Essex Junction, VT., 3 great nieces, Kathryn Morin, Jamie Morin, Erin James, and one great nephew, Kyle James. She was predeceased by her brother, Henry R. James.
A graveside funeral service will be held Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 1 pm at the family lot in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend, Arrangements are by the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265, or at www.komen.org. For on-line guestbook and other information, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.