MANCHESTER, Conn., and ROCKWOOD – Norma M. (Buscaglia) Willard, 87, beloved wife of the late John E. Willard Sr., died Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, at an area convalescent home. She was born Oct. 19, 1924, in Manhattan, N.Y., daughter of the late John and Enes (Cossetti) Buscaglia.
Norma had been a resident of Manchester, Conn., for almost 60 years. Mrs. Willard was a member of St. Bridget Church, Manchester, Conn., and Woman’s Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She was an avid reader, loved to cook, play the piano and dance. Prior to her retirement, she and her husband were owners/ operators of The Birches Resort on Moosehead Lake, Rockwood, where she spent every summer. Norma was a dedicated mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who loved to spend time with her family.
She is survived by four children, Joyce (Willard) Fish and her husband, Robert, of Glastonbury, Conn., John E. Willard Jr. of Rockwood, Constance Willard-Phelan and her husband, Robert, of Coventry, Conn., and William R. Willard and his wife, Tracy, of Rockwood; 11 grandchildren, Jennifer, Russell, Jaime, Joel, Chelsy, Jade, Meghan, Lindsay, Amanda, William Jr. and Jason; and three great-grandchildren, Blake, Brian and Brook. Other survivors include 11 stepgrandchildren and six great-stepgrandchildren. The family expresses their deepest gratitude to the nurses and caregivers from North Central Hospice for the loving care shown to Norma during her illness.
Calling hours will be held 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester, Conn., where funeral services will be held 9:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 31. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday at St. Bridget Church, 80 Main St., Manchester, Conn. Burial will be at St. James Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Visiting Nurse and Health Services, 8 Keynote Drive, Vernon, CT 06066. To sign the online register book, go to
www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com.