It is with great sadness and fond memories that we announce the passing of Norma
Christal at the age of 81.
In writing about Norma, we have to start with how we met. In fact, my story starts with
Phil. Phil and I started at ITT Europe in Harlow UK on the same day, in October, 1984.
Unbeknown to us, a few months later, my Norma (Norma B) said we have been invited
to dinner, in Welwyn Hertfordshire, by a mother at our son’s primary school. What a
surprise when on arrival there were Norma C and Phil. Our sons were friends at school.
At this time, Norma C was working at our local surgery, having previously been a nurse
qualifying at St Thomas Hospital in London. We met up from time to time, until June of
1987, when ITT Europe was purchased by Alcatel France and we went off to Belgium
and a year later Phil and Norma went off to live in Munich, Germany. Norma C did
some private English teaching in Germany and occupied herself with handicrafts
especially patchwork, looking after the family and attending to the garden she loved.
We move on to 2002 now. Phil and Norma are looking ahead to retiring and get back in
touch as they are looking to settle in France. Many of you know now that they found a
house in Biscarrosse, by the lake, having stayed in our maison secondaire to house
hunt. Norma made many friends with the Bordeaux British Community. She served for
some years on the Committee including as secretary, and you can see from the photo
archive on the website that she was very active, participating in many of the events
including the Pyrenees weekends. I know other members will have their personal
memories of Norma to reflect back on.
Sadly, with Norma suffering from depression and later dementia, they had no real
choice but to return to the UK which they did at the end of 2021. Norma’s diagnosis
was confirmed in the UK and she was admitted to a care home near Cambridge early
2021 during COVID. Cambridge was chosen because their daughter Jenny lives close
by.
Norma leaves behind husband Phil, daughter Jenny, granddaughters Ellie and Alice
and their son Ian.
Our condolences are with the family at this sad time.
Gary and Norma Brooks