Joan NORMAN Obituary

Passed away peacefully on September 9, 2025, aged 85. Born in Lower Hutt to Minne and Frank Feakin, December 10 (or 12 depending on who you ask) 1939. Loving wife to Ronald Matthew Norman, mother to Sandra, Carolyn, Matthew and Luke. Grandmother to Lilly, Franz, Emma, Luke, Joshua, Jack, Cameron and Rex and Great-grandmother to Fox and Kylo. A sister to Kathleen, Patricia, Suzanne, Peter, Francis, Doreen and Lynette; clearly Frank was a one-legged baby machine. Aunt, cousin, and friend to many, many more. An all-round great person. Growing up in the Hutt Valley as a post-depression child was not easy apparently. Hence the burned toast, mouldy cheese and past-date cans of beans were never thrown away. There was nothing wrong with them. Nor was there with the home-sewn bell-bottoms and tutus either. The skipped days of school and laying around on the couch were forbidden as one was encouraged to soldier on! So soldier on one did. But none more than Joan/Mum. A woman of unflappable character who became heavily challenged by injury yet soldiered on to the very end. To her last breath. Joan touched so many lives and hearts. A badminton playing, Zumba dancing, bridge dealing, mahjong playing, walking machine. She was taken away far too soon. A pure, kind, and gentle soul. She will be missed by many. The family would especially like to thank the staff at Enliven Woburn Home. A Mass and celebration of her life will be held in due course. Details will be posted once the date is confirmed.