Norma Neri Glassman

On Friday, August 18, 2023, the Glassman family lost their beloved Norma, a loving mother, wife, sister, aunt and dear friend who always brought joy to those around her. Norma Neri Glassman passed away surrounded by family at her home in Edison that she and her husband Steve had designed and built for their family 37 years ago.

Norma was 74 years young on her final journey from life to death. She was born on December 24, 1948 in Sant’ Appolinare, Italy, a small town about 75 miles south of Rome with origins back to year 797. At the age of three, Norma emigrated from Italy with her father Roberto, mother Matilde, and older sisters Maddalena and Gisella to Montreal, Canada. Her family moved to the United States in 1955, settling in New Brunswick, NJ. Norma started elementary school with limited English skills after attending French speaking schools in Montreal and speaking Italian at home.

The family moved to Edison in 1962 where Norma began 9th grade at Edison High School. She excelled academically being chosen as one of only 25 students in her class to the National Honor Society, as well as captain of the school’s Rangerette Drill Team.

Norma accepted an academic scholarship to Fairleigh Dickinson University, graduating in June 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.

At Fairleigh Dickinson she met her husband Steve also Class of 1970, and they married in 1972.

Norma began her career in 1970 as a probation officer in the Family Court Division of Middlesex County, NJ and then as a private adoption specialist when Steve’s career required them to move to Chicago in 1974.

After buying their first house in Naperville, IL, Steve and Norma moved back to NJ in 1977.  Their son Keith was born in 1977 with a congenital heart defect and tragically died in 1979. In 1983, their daughter Kimberly was born, a blessing that brought joy and excitement to their life.

For Norma, Kim was her world. From the day Kim was born Norma developed a lifelong one of kind bond with her. Kim looked to her mother for inspiration and as a guiding light in her life.

Norma was also a great friend to so many people in her life. She was giving, caring, supportive, and loyal; the qualities that make friendships last a lifetime.

She loved to travel, especially to her beloved Italy. Rome and Paris were her favorite cities and she and Steve also shared many beautiful memories of a lifetime in London, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, and Cinque Terre.

Norma loved her family unconditionally. She was the best person she could be to inspire her loved ones. The strongest act of love is the power to sacrifice yourself and all your things for love. Her courage to place her family’s needs before her own is what made Norma who she was.

Visitation and funeral service to honor Norma’s life will be held at Gosselin Funeral Home, located at 660 New Dover Road, Edison, NJ. The details of the visitation, and prayer service are below.

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