Norma Irene (Harrison) Charbonneau left this world on September 10th after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born in 1930 in Acushnet, MA, to the late Irene (Caya Harrison) Dube and Norman Harrison, and was the eldest and only girl in a family of six children. She was the widow of Normand M. Charbonneau who was deceased in 1967. Norma lived and raised her family in Mattapoisett, MA where she worked for years as one of the beloved lunch ladies at ORRHS. In 1983, she moved to Western Mass with her partner of many years, the late Barbara Bumpus, where they resided for decades and owned and operated the popular Box Car Restaurant in Erving, an historic former train station that was the hub of the community. Norma was a heroic single mother of seven, and leaves behind her sons and their families: Michael of Memphis, TN., Stephen of St. Petersburg, FL; the late Thomas of New Bedford; the late Kenneth of Fairhaven; her daughters and their families: Jane N. Cain of Yarmouth Port; Karen C. Zukas of New Bedford; and Nancy C. Case of Northampton, MA. She also leaves behind her brothers Norman and James, the late Robert, Gilbert, and Richard and their families; 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and over 50 nieces and nephews. She was a recent resident at Our Lady’s Haven in Fairhaven. Norma was a lifelong learner, a hard worker, avid world traveler, and a beloved spirit of energy, positivity and good deeds. She loved music, reading “histories and mysteries,” puzzles, gardening, the Red Sox, and watching Jeopardy. She was beloved by many in her communities, both in Western Mass and back home, and was a true inspiration to all who knew her. A wake will be held on Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Southcoast Chapel Mortuary, 158 Middleboro Road, (RT.18), in E. Freetown from 4 to 8 pm. A graveside service will be on Friday, Sept. 16 at 12:00 noon at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, North Street, in Mattapoisett. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org. Flowers are also welcome.
