TRIBUTES have been paid to a charity stalwart who dedicated her retired life good causes across the borough.
Norma Todd whose determination to help Silhillians became a lifelong passion, has died at the age of 92.
After hanging up her hat from the accounts department at the then Solihull Heath Authority in 1993 Norma helped out those in need across the borough before moving to East Yorkshire in 2023 following the death of her husband, Eric.
Over the years the former Shirley resident volunteered with children, ran the Solihull Visiting Service pairing other volunteers with elderly folk for companionship as well as volunteering at Abbeyfields for Knit and Natter and Sunday sherry morning sessions.
Her hard work and determination saw Norma win a host of awards.
In 2018, at the age of 85 Norma was joint winner of the Solihull Observer’s Local Hero Award at the Solihull Together Awards for her work at the Solihull Visiting Service.
She was also awarded Queens Golden Jubilee Award in 2002, First Prize Contribution to the Community 2005, Diamond Champions award 2012.
The daughter of a prison officer, Norma grew up with a younger brother.
She met Eric in her late teens in the couple married in Oxford just before her 20th birthday where Norma made her wedding dress along with her bridesmaids dresses.
The couple welcomed two daughters.
Norma leaves behind two grand-children, two great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.
Norma had ambitions to become a nurse however, the opportunity didn’t arise and then married women couldn’t train.
There were a few office positions mainly involved with payroll. Then for a number of years Norma was a successful Tupperware manager.
Her daughter Lesley said: “She spent years on Parent/Teacher school committees helping with many events whilst her children were at school.
“Her main hobby was flower arranging and belonged to a club and helped on the committee.
“I remember her presenting me with a dress for a party – she must have sewn late into the night! She loved her grandchildren and often had them to stay during school holidays taking them on foreign and UK holidays.
“They had a variety of far-flung holidays including an African safari, Borneo, Sarawak, India, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Maldives, St Lucia, as well as driving holidays throughout Europe.”
A celebration of Norma’s life has yet to be arranged but a direct cremation has been arranged at East Riding of Yorkshire’s Holtemprice Crematorium.
Donations can be made in Norma’s name to Dementia UK via the charity’s website.
