Ruth Jacqueline (Sutcliffe) (Charest) Norman, 97, formerly of Methuen, Mass., and Pelham, N.H., and a resident of D’Youville Life & Wellness Community in Lowell, Mass., for the past two years, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
She was born May 7, 1925, in Andover, Mass., to the late John and Mary (Auchterlonie) Sutcliffe. Ruth made her home for twenty years with her son, David and his late wife, Nancy, in Methuen. Before that, she lived in Pelham, N.H., where she and her husband, Frank Norman were the custodians at the former E.G. Sherburne School. She spent many years in Lawrence, where she made many lifelong friends and raised her family. In her early years, she worked in the carding room at the old Wood Mill in Lawrence.
Ruth was especially proud of her Scottish heritage. Her mother was born in Kemback, Scotland, in 1896, and Ruth loved the sound of bagpipes and appreciated a good Highland sword dance. She stood all of five feet tall but was a powerhouse when raising her four sons. Her world revolved around her family, which included eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. She was the hub who held together the spokes of the extended family.
Every week, she’d make her round of calls with a list of who was doing what, who was going where, and who was having a baby or getting married. She was always up for a good cup of tea and a shortbread cookie. She and her second husband Frank enjoyed traveling or just going for a Sunday drive.
Ruth was predeceased by her first husband, George Luc Charest, in 1969 and second husband, Frank P. Norman, in 2011; her son, George J. Charest of Groveland in 2022; daughter-in-law, Nancy G. Charest of Methuen in 2022; her sisters, Mary A. Sutcliffe in 1993, Dorothy H. (Sutcliffe) Johnson in 2006 and Sarah “Sally” (Sutcliffe) (Laliberte) Webb in 2021.
She leaves behind her sons, David F. Charest of Methuen, Robert J. Charest and wife, Cindy of Epsom, N.H., and son, John F. Charest and fiancée, Tracy Nicholson of Pelham, N.H.; daughter-in-law, Paula (Wertz) Charest of Groveland; eight grandchildren, Scott Charest of Exeter, N.H., Nancy Nichols and husband, Tom of Amesbury, Cheryl Charest of Worcester, Wendy Charest of Groveland, Wesley Charest and wife, Krisha of Groveland, Amanda L. Robichaud and husband, David of East Hampstead, N.H., Nicholas A. Charest and his wife, Jenna of Hillsborough, N.H., and Kaela Charest of Haverhill; and eight great-grandchildren, George Charest and Lilah Charest of Groveland, Rebecca Charest and fiancé, Mark Lasalla of Manchester, N.H., Nicholas Charest of Manchester, N.H., Olivia Nichols of Amesbury, Tatum, Riley, and Logan Robichaud, all of East Hampstead, N.H.; and one great-great-granddaughter, Adeline LaSalla of Manchester, N.H.; as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Relatives and guests are invited to attend calling hours on Saturday, March 11, 2023 from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St. Methuen. A funeral service will be held immediately following calling hours, beginning promptly at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment to follow at St. Mary-Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence. For directions and online guestbook, please visit the funeral home website, www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Charest and Norman Families.
Ruth J. Norman
Published by InDepthNH.org from Feb. 24 to Feb. 25, 2023.