LIVERMORE – Norma A. Richard, beloved sister, wife, aunt and great aunt, died unexpectedly on Oct. 17, 2024, at her home on Long Pond in Livermore.

Norma was born on Oct. 1, 1954, in Rumford, the daughter of Ivan and Lillian (Filiault) Richard. She attended local schools in Mexico, Maine and was a graduate of Mexico High School class of 1972. Norma earned a BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maine, where she was inducted into the Phi Delta Kappa Education Sorority. She later earned a master’s in education from the University of Southern Maine and a Certificate in Educational Administration.

As an early and avid reader, Norma had a lifelong love of books and literacy which led to her collection of thousands of audiobooks she listened to daily. She loved to give her nieces and nephews books that she chose specifically for them. Norma promoted literacy throughout her career as an elementary school teacher and principal. She also supported several public libraries and served on the Board of the Raymond Village Library.

At the Elementary School in Penobscot, Maine, Norma was a dynamic teacher who cared deeply about her students and their families. After a leave of absence from teaching, to tutor a family on a yacht sailing the Caribbean, she returned to be principal of the school. Norma led her team of teachers with the same energy and enthusiasm that she had for teaching. She was instrumental in reconstructing the playground and supporting the annual academic awards banquet, Odyssey of the Mind, and two Maine innovative grants which took students to art museums all over Maine and to Quebec City. Under her leadership, Penobscot hired its first art teacher.

She went on to serve in Raymond as principal of the Jordan-Small K-8 School and then oversaw the design and construction of the Raymond Elementary School, where she was principal until she retired. Norma’s support for the music program in Raymond was recognized when she was awarded the Outstanding Administrator Award of the Maine Music Educators Association. In addition to being a principal, Norma was also an adjunct professor and student teacher mentor at St Joseph’s College in Windham. Following her retirement, she worked as a volunteer guardian ad litem through the Maine Judicial Branch.

Norma was a person of many talents and interests and was a gifted singer. She loved musical theater and starred in the lead role of Nellie Forbush in the musical South Pacific when she was in high school. She was a member of the Wild Asheville Community Chorus when she lived in Asheville, N.C., and she loved going to New York City to attend Broadway shows. Norma also loved to travel with family and friends and was always planning her next trip. She enjoyed visiting London, Florence, Bologna, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Antwerp, Amsterdam, and she recently celebrated her 70th birthday with family in Dublin.

Norma participated fully in the lives of her nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, which gave her heartfelt pleasure throughout her life.

She is survived by her wife Gail Casson, sister-in-law Andrea Casson, and brother-in-law Glen Milstein and their children Luca and Alessia, sisters: Peg Richard (Rob Lindsay), Barbara MacGregor (Sandy), Sue Richard, Terry Richard (Walt Smith), nieces : Rachel Swan (TJ), Maggie Puiia (Sean Ware), Zoe Caldwell (Ryan) Molly MacGregor (Spencer Mendell), Sela Smith, nephews: Nicholas Puiia (Karen), Peter MacGregor, Gabe Lindsay (Michelle Beers), Sawyer Smith (Emmy Held),and great nieces and nephews: Angelina and Rosaria Puiia, Holden and Greyson Swan, Lucy Smith, Fiona and Elliott MacGregor, Ella Caldwell, and Violet Lindsay-Beers. She was predeceased by her parents, sister Muffy Peters, brother Mike Richard, and nephew Jay Lindsay.

Norma’s passion for learning, dedication to those she loved, and spirit for adventure touched countless lives. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and colleagues.

A Celebration of Life will be announced in the spring.