Bernice J. Norskey

GARDNER - Bernice J. Norskey, 94, died peacefully at Quabbin Valley Healthcare Center on November 25, 2017. She was born in Baldwinsville, Mass., the first child of Victor and Helen Norskey. She was an excellent violinist and a wonderful student who graduated from Templeton High School. The recipient of a bachelor’s degree from Fitchburg State College and a master’s degree in teaching from Boston University, she was a devoted elementary school teacher who influenced generations of students. Her career began in Baldwinsville, teaching in the classroom that she, herself, once sat in. Later, she joined the faculty at Prospect Street School in Gardner. Her students remember not only her kindness, but also her beauty; many boys had crushes on Miss Norskey and many girls wanted to look like her. Her fashion sense was honed on weekends and holidays working at Rome’s clothing store in Gardner where, her brother recalls, her salary mostly went to refreshing her wardrobe. Eventually, Bernice took a position with the Springfield, Mass. School department where she remained for 40 years, retiring only when her mother needed her care. She will be remembered, first, for her devotion to teaching; even in recent years she would recall her former students with astonishing accuracy. Her nieces remember Bernice driving her glamorous red convertible (with a scarf protecting her hairdo), and skiing with her at Mount Watatic on winter weekends. She leaves behind her brother and sister in law, Alexander and Doris Norskey of Gardner; her nieces Carol, Margaret, Joanne and Gail; and her cousins Connie and Deborah Johnson of Westminster. A celebration of her life was held on Monday, November 27th at 10 am in St. Martin’s Church in Otter River. It was fitting that her family say goodbye to her where she was baptized and made her first communion. Her ashes will be interred next to her parents in St. Joseph’s Cemetery at a later date. To send an onlne condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Lamoureux-Smith & Poliks - A Mack FamilyJohn H. Mack Funeral Home.