Norma J. Collins-Rittal

Norma J. Collins-Rittall, age 96, passed away on July 24, 2022 in Greenfield, MA with family by her side.

Norma was born in Springfield, MA on October 23, 1925. She was the daughter of Harold and Adelaide (Dickey) Gladden. She graduated from Chicopee High School in 1943 and from Framingham State College in 1947.

She started her teaching career at Sanderson Academy in Ashfield, MA and later taught at Frontier Regional High School in in South Deerfield. She then made a career change by working for the Phoenix Companies in Greenfield for 20 years and Twombly Wealth Management for 12 years, retiring in 2002.

Norma was a longtime member of Robbins Memorial Church, having served on the Board of Trustees and the Board of Deacons. She also was a member of the Board of Organized Workers at Baystate Franklin Medical Center for over 45 years and served as vice president on the executive board. She was an organizer and facilitator of bereavement support groups for many years and served as vice president of the former Bereavement Support of Franklin County.

Norma loved to knit and she spent countless hours knitting mittens and scarves every year for the Warm the Children and also making aprons for the hospital gift shop. While her children were young, she was a Sunday school teacher in Ashfield, a den scout mother, and a Girl Scout leader.

Norma is survived by her two sons, Richard (Towbee) Keyes of Leverett, MA; and Gladden (Denny) Keyes and his wife, Carol of Westfield, MA; her daughter, Terri Letourneau and husband, Paul of Greenfield, MA; and a stepdaughter, Bonnie Phillips of Plainfield, MA. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Swan Keyes, Brian Keyes, Kelly Keyes, Thomas Letourneau, Rebecca Burns, Tonya Collins, Karie Keane, Sean Collins, Leah Phillips, Angie Baranoski and Laura Stein and many great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Norma was predeceased by her husband Rodger E. Collins in November 1983 and her husband Dana E. Rittall in January 1988. She was also predeceased by her brother Robert Gladden of New Jersey and Marjorie Anderson of Florida.

Services in celebration of Norma's life, will be observed on Friday, July 29, 2022 @10:00AM from the Robbins Memorial Church, 55 Munson Street, Greenfield, MA, with Rev. Deborah Corey officiating. Interment will follow in the North Meadow Cemetery, Greenfield, MA

Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Baystate Franklin Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, 164 High Street, Greenfield MA 01301.

McCarthy Funeral Homes entrusted with Norma's care and arrangements. For those who wish to wish their sentiments, please visit Norma's Tribute Page which can be found at www.mccarthyfuneralhomes.com

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