Norma L. Holden

Norma L. ‘Stormin’ Holden, 70, of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, died on Monday, July 8, 2013 at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH after a long illness.

Norma was born on May 19, 1943 in Peterborough, NH, daughter of the late Charles H. and Nancy (Fish) Smith. She graduated from Peterborough High School in 1961 and had worked for New Hampshire Ball Bearing and Electro Pak, both in Jaffrey, before becoming a teacher. For the past 30 years, she had been a substitute teacher in the Monadnock Regional School District and the Con-Val Regional School District.

Norma, known as “Joy” at the Good Samaritans of Keene, met her husband while volunteering there from 1986 to 1993. She was a longtime member and Deacon of the United Church of Jaffrey where she was a part of the Triple D, the Stewardship and Evangelism Committees and had also been the Superintendent of the Sunday School and the chairperson of the fish fry committee. ‘Stormin’ devoted most of her time to friends and family. She adored all children and especially her grandchildren.

Some of her hobbies included being a basketball fan for the Celtics and was a Conant High School game regular. She and her husband followed the team around the state as her long as her health allowed. Norma was a collector of pins and snow babies, and loved blueberry and strawberry picking. She was proud of her Irish heritage and a Patriotic American all the way.

She was predeceased by her parents and her siblings Henry Smith, Gertrude Pierce, and Evelyn Collins.

Norma is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, David H. Holden of Jaffrey, NH; her daughter Crystal and husband Aaron Blanchette of Hancock, NH; her son Wallace and wife Kathy Watson of Elmont, NY; her brothers, Charles H. and wife Sandy Smith of MI, John Smith of Jaffrey, NH, Donald ‘Jimmy’ and wife Connie Smith of Continental, OH; her sister Flora McLain of Dayville, CT; her grandchildren, Alisha Blanchette and partner Melanie Davis of Plymouth, NH, Nathaniel A. Blanchette of Hancock, NH, and Donald Wagner of Elmont, NY, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including her first husband and longtime friend, Rexford Watson of Bedford, NH, niece Pam and husband John Doubleday, and their children Andrew and Sarah of Swanzey, NH, and lifelong friends Sue LeClair and husband Ray of West Peterborough, NH.

Family and friends are warmly invited to calling hours on Sunday, July 14, 2013 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Cournoyer Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 33 River Street (Route 202 South) Jaffrey, NH 03452. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 PM in the chapel at the funeral home. Rev. Teri Motley, pastor of the United Church of Jaffrey will officiate.

A graveside service and burial will take place on Monday, July 15, 2013 at 3:00 PM at Pine Hill Cemetery in Peterborough, NH.

Memorial donations may be made in Norma’s name to the Good Neighbor Fund, PO Box 486, Jaffrey, NH 03452