Norrine Ann Abbott Williams – Born 9/2/1946, passed away 12/3/2019. She was 73 years of age.
The North Country lost an iconic, illustrious figure on Tuesday, December 3rd. Norrine Ann Abbott Williams was a woman for all seasons! She was born in Lewiston Maine, grew up in the towns of South Paris, Maine and Manchester, Massachusetts. She graduated from Situate High School, in Scituate, Massachusetts in 1964 while continuing to stay close to her high school friends throughout her life. She continued her education graduating from Bates College with a degree in sociology in 1968. She had a special bond with 7 Bates classmates, celebrating their birthdays together. They referred to themselves as the “Bates Eight.” She finished her education with a Masters in Social Work from the University of Connecticut in 1986.
Norrine married Paul in June of 1968. They had a wonderful marriage and life
together, recently celebrating their 51st wedding anniversary. Norrine
was predeceased by her parents Ted Abbott in 1971 and Genevieve Abbott in
2004. She is survived by her husband, Paul, daughter Lissa Modesitt
(husband Michael, living in Virginia) and daughter Lianne Trombley (husband
Matthew) and her prized granddaughters Lauren and Taryn – whom she loved dearly
– all living in northern Vermont.
Norrine’s professional career began in Maine as a social worker for the Maine
Department of Welfare for one year. She and Paul moved to Whitefield, NH
after Paul’s graduation in 1969. They purchased Sleigh Bell Lodge and ran
that as an inn (now referred to as bed and breakfasts) until 1974. Norrine did
most of the work (even after an awful ski accident in 1972 where she broke her
tibia in 2 places, her arm, and all the bones in her ankle – she had that ankle
fused in 1974).
Norrine was hired in 1975 to become the executive director of what eventually
became Ammonoosuc Community Health Services. She started out with one
nurse, and by the time she retired in 2009, she had built the agency up to 5
sites (Littleton, Whitefield, Woodsville, Franconia and Warren) with a staff of
about 100 including doctors, nurses, RA’s, PA’s. Norrine ran the agency
and was beloved by her employees and respected by colleagues throughout the
State and northeast.
Meanwhile, she began teaching part time at Lyndon State for the psychology
department in 1986. Her Human Sexuality Class was very popular. The
students appreciated that she taught it with directness, boldness, compassion
and knowledge. She did that for 29 years retiring only this year when she
was unable to get to the class. Norrine became afflicted with ALS this
past year which limited her involvement.
Norrine was very interested in her family history. She was a proud member
of the DAR, Mayflower Society and Daughters of Founders and Patriots. She
successfully researched her own ancestors back to the 11th century and after
exhausting that, took on Paul’s family. Her greatest thrill was finding
she was related to the Mannion Clan in Ireland. Meeting her wonderful
cousins Seamus, Imelda , and Cathy, and travelling to Ireland for a Mannion
Clan reunion in 2018.
She was extremely well read devouring just about a book every day. She greatly
supported the Lower Waterford Library. Norrine was a talented painter and
craftsperson. And she had a green thumb, creating a spectacular
garden in Vermont and another in Arizona. Norrine and Paul
travelled to Arizona as snowbirds for the past 10 winters. Norrine had a
strong faith. She was a member of the Lower Waterford Congregational
Church, as well as a deacon and trustee.
Norrine was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She is at peace, and
will be sorely missed by her family.
She will be cremated in Arizona on Wednesday, December 11 at 9:00 am (Mountain
Standard time – 10:00 Central Standard time and 11:00 Eastern Standard
time). Please consider pausing for a moment then to think of Norrine and all
she has meant. Perhaps you might light a candle for her
then.
A Celebration of Life Service followed by an interment will take place on
Saturday, June 20 at 10:00 am at the Lower Waterford Congregational
Church. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the
Waterford library in Norrine’s memory.