Norma J. Ketchersid, 75

December 30, 2017

Norma J. Ketchersid, 75, of Lititz, passed away peacefully at home on December 30, 2017, after a long battle with lung cancer. She was born on July 16, 1942 in Brownton, MN and grew up with her six siblings on her family’s farm. After graduating from Brownton High School in 1960, she attended Makato State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. In 1964, she married Paul Ketchersid. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1987. The couple raised their four children–Margaret, Paul, Sarah, and Sam–in Boonton, NJ. Norma was a fun-loving and creative mother, whether taking her children on day trips to the Jersey Shore or organizing indoor picnics on snowy days, roasting hotdogs and marshmallows in the fire place. She was also a whiz at coming up with and sewing last-minute, creative Halloween costumes for her kids, from a purple ghost, a giant chicken, and even one year, a baked potato.
After raising her children, Norma worked for many years as a lease administrator for AT&T. She retired in 2004 and moved to Lititz, PA where she soon became actively engaged in her new community. She was a member of two different book clubs, a bible study group, as well as becoming an election poll worker. She also joined the PEO sisterhood and served as the group’s treasurer.
Norma loved to sew and was an especially accomplished quilter, making many beautiful quilts for friends and family, including very special quilts for her two grandchildren, Aaron and Ivy. Norma also enjoyed spending time in her garden. She had a particular fondness for Christmas and was a keen collector of interesting and eclectic Santa figurines. Her Santa collection had over 900 different Santas!
Norma was a funny, vibrant, and curious person who loved to travel and meet new people. Her travels took her to many places including Africa, Italy, Spain, Iceland, and beyond. Norma was warm and friendly with a quick and easy laugh. She had a wide circle of friends and was a welcoming and gracious hostess. Her door was always open for visitors, neighbors, and friends old and new. She had a contagious love of life and a courageously positive outlook. No matter how hard things may have been, Norma always said that “tomorrow will be a better day.”
Norma is survived by three of her children: Margaret; Sarah and her wife Lori; and Sam and his wife Mary; grandson Aaron, granddaughter Ivy; brother Wayne Schwarze; sister Barbara Holmberg; ex-husband Paul; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other friends and loved ones. She was predeceased by her son Paul in 2015.
There will be a memorial service to celebrate Norma’s life on Friday, January 5th at 3:00 p.m. at Charles F. Snyder, Jr., Funeral Home, 3110 Lititz Pike. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Norma’s memory to Hospice and Community Care, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604 or to the PEO Foundation, c/o Sondra Scott, 704 Crestwood Drive, Lancaster, PA 17602.