Norma graduated from the St. Joseph's School of Nursing at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston in 1953 and continued on to a Bachelor's Degree in Ottawa. She worked as a nurse and nursing educator for 39 years, becoming Director of Nursing at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston in 1973, and was later Director of Clinical Resources at St. Lawrence College.
In 1974, she married the late Dr. R.E (Dick) Jones. With care and grace, she undertook the challenging job of being a stepmother to his teenage son R. Michael Jones and his grown sisters Elizabeth, Cynthia, and the late Catherine Jackson.
In her retirement years, Norma enjoyed opera, traveling with Dick, and reading, often translating texts from Italian to English for Dick's research projects.
Many have commented on the strength of Norma's poise and mentorship as a leader and educator in nursing. It was fitting that a former student of hers was at her side caring for her at the end to say "she would not forget what Norma had taught her."
Norma was predeceased by her husband, Dick, in 2014. She is survived by her stepson R. Michael Jones (Lisa) of Vancouver, BC, stepdaughters Cynthia Davies (Simon) Queen Charlotte, BC, and Elizabeth Swaine (Red) Boutilliers Point, NS. She is remembered with great respect and fondness by all their families.
Norma is also survived by members of her family in Udine, Italy who comforted her before she passed. She will be laid to rest with her mother Mary Struzzo and Dick.