Norma Susan Formisani

Norma Susan Formisani, 83, of Peabody, MA, passed away August 2, 2017, peacefully at her home with her children by her side. Born March 31, 1934 in Fitchburg, MA, she was the daughter of Oddo and Mary (Mezzanotti) Pezzolesi. She was a longtime Fitchburg resident (78 years) and lived at Brooksby Village in Peabody for the past 5 ½ years.
Norma attended Saint Bernard’s Central Catholic High School, and upon graduation in 1951 worked for the Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce until starting her family. She married in 1957 and was a talented and tireless homemaker who enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, ceramics, braiding rugs, decorating and hosting many family gatherings. She especially loved the outdoors, tending to her extensive rose and flower gardens and spending time at the family camp. She was a very dedicated, generous, loving and proud parent who made many sacrifices when raising her two children.
Norma worked part time as a bookkeeper for many years for her father's business in Leominster, MA, and as the office manager for her parish rectory in Fitchburg. Norma re-entered the workforce full time in 1972 as a secretary in the paper industry to support herself and her children, retiring in 1999 from Technographics Inc., (formerly Litton Industries). She worked for numerous business, sales and legal executives and was known for her efficiency, organization, meticulousness, and incredible work ethic.
In retirement, she enjoyed swimming at the local YMCA, volunteer work, bird watching, gardening, decorating projects and puttering in her yard. When she moved to Brooksby Village in 2012, she continued swimming, knitted blankets for Voices Against Violence, learned to play Mahjong, and enjoyed the company of her dinner companions. She loved taking walks to observe the flowers and wildlife along the beautiful paths of the Brooksby grounds. She always loved spending time with her children, especially trips to Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, MA with her daughter, and to the White Mountains of New Hampshire with her son.
She endured over 40 years of chronic illness and pain with amazing strength, resilience and grace. Those who met Norma would often comment what a sweet and kind person she was. In her final weeks she shared some simple advice with her children, “Do what you love to do because you won’t always be able to do it,” and, “All the good you do will come back to you.”
Norma is survived by her son, Steven Formisani of Glen, NH; and her daughter Diane Formisani of Melrose, MA. She will be deeply missed by her children, relatives and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made in Norma’s name to Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923 or online at www.CareDimensions.org; or Brooksby Village Scholarship Fund, Philanthropy Office, 200 Brooksby Village Drive, Peabody, MA 01960.