Hadley, MA – Norma Kendall Ritter, a proud New Englander, devoted nurse, and beloved matriarch, passed away on April 9, 2026. Norma was born in Hartford, CT on January 4, 1931, the daughter of the late Waldo and Marion Kendall. When she was three, her family moved to Hadley, MA to live in the farmhouse her great-grandfather had built. Her family started a successful asparagus farm, and Norma established a legacy in Hadley that would last over 90 years. During that time, she married and raised a family with her sister's family living next door. She was deeply proud of her Yankee ancestry, which traced back to the founding days of Hadley and to the Mayflower itself. Norma graduated from Hopkins Academy in 1948, where she played trombone in the school band and ran the scoreboard for basketball games. She went on to graduate from the Franklin School of Nursing, launching a nursing career that spanned Holyoke Hospital, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Belchertown State School, Monson State Hospital, and the Visiting Nurse Association. She remained close to her nursing classmates throughout her life, hosting many reunions and get-togethers over the years. Norma was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, George Ritter, and her sister, Merle Buckhout, and her husband Ted. She is survived by her four sons: Kevin and his wife Ramona of Etowah, NC; Gary and his wife Janet of Hadley; Arlen and his wife Gail of Yuma, AZ; and Dana of Hadley. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Drew Ritter, Grant Ritter, Victoria Ritter, Henry Finch, and Elliot Finch, and six great-grandchildren, Emilia, Kaleb, Hudson, Landon, Jack, and Ellie, as well as many nieces and nephews. Norma loved music and encouraged all her sons to learn an instrument, filling the house with music for decades. She was a devoted fan of UConn women's basketball and the UMass Marching Band. A prolific knitter, she made blankets for everyone in her life, including the pets. She and George were known for putting on legendary Mardi Gras parties. She enjoyed travelling and keeping up with her many relatives around the country and was a lifelong member of the Hockanum Villagers Association and a devoted presence at the Hadley Council on Aging. The family offers heartfelt thanks to her grandniece, Aolani George, whose loving care during Norma's final months was a gift beyond measure.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hadley Council on Aging.
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