Northborough – Norma Cragin of Northboro, formerly of Shrewsbury and Needham, died peacefully on August 11th from complications related to COVID. At her time of passing, she was surrounded by people who loved her, including family and the staff of Beaumont Rehab and Skilled Nursing in Northboro and Salmon Hospice; always determined, this was her second time on hospice, having been discharged almost a year ago. We were blessed for another year.
She leaves her three children, Linda Cragin and husband Bob Lang, Debbie (Cragin) Emery and husband Jim and David Cragin and wife Marilyn. She also leaves four grandchildren whom she was so proud of, Jason Emery (wife Alex), Nicole Emery, Jeffrey Cragin and Heather Cragin.
She is also survived by two sisters, Caroline Kelleher and Joyce Penninger (husband Mike), and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and longtime friends whom she was very fond of. She was born in New York City to William and Isabella Simon. Norma was predeceased by her husband of almost 65 years, John Q. Cragin and her sister Elinore Bareiss. She was affectionately known as GeeBee by family and friends after she became a grandmother.
Norma attended NYU and Bentley College and started her career as a bookkeeper in Rockefeller Center with a unique view of the Rockettes! In retirement, she continued her passion for bookkeeping as the volunteer treasurer for her church and Bargain Box at Southgate in Shrewsbury. Norma loved shopping, watching sports, shopping, playing bridge and more shopping.
Always up for entertaining, she loved having dinner parties for her friends and family. These were also more excuses to shop. She would ask her family to rearrange furniture several times a year so that her home was always welcoming.
In her later years, she transitioned to shopping online, bowling, shopping online, and BINGO. During the time when visits were restricted due to COVID, she loved Facetiming with her grandchildren and seeing their pets!The family wants to thank the staff at Southgate, Whitney Place and Beaumont at Northboro, UMass Geriatrics and Salmon VNA and Hospice for their compassion and care, particularly her favorite aide.
At Norma’s request, services will be private. We will share an online tribute in the coming weeks. If you would like to view this, please email [email protected] for more information (please include your name and connection to Norma).
As much as she loved flowers, she would prefer that you send memorial gifts to: Beaumont at Northboro Recreation Department – please send Amazon or Michael’s gift cards to the family to purchase craft supplies or Salmon VNA and Hospice – Staff Appreciation, 37 Birch Street, Milford, MA 01757.
The Chiampa Funeral Home of Shrewsbury assisted with arrangements.
