Norma Dickson Hourihan, 95, died peacefully, comforted by her family on Oct. 11, 2023. The daughter of John Walfred Dickson and Gladys Monahan Dickson, she was born in Somerville on May 13, 1928. At the age of 5 the family moved to Marblehead where she remained a resident until her death.
A graduate of Marblehead High School in 1946, she earned her Bachelor of Arts from Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut in 1950 and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Salem State College in 1966.
On April 18, 1953, she married James J. Hourihan Jr. who preceded her in death on Nov. 23, 2004. She is survived by her three children, James J. Hourihan III (Amy) of Marblehead, John Dickson Hourihan (Olga) of Miami, Florida and Kate Hourihan Daley (Michael) of Marblehead, and grandchildren Kate Reed Hourihan (Nick Webb) of Seattle, Washington, Timothy Dickson Hourihan of Dresden, Maine, Cailin Hourihan Daley of Boston, Massachusetts and Maeve Kathleen Daley of Boston and great-grandson Cooper Hourihan Webb of Seattle, Washington.
Norma and her husband Jim were active members of the Boston Yacht Club, with Norma a valued, reliable and competent member of the Race Committee for many years. Aboard their sailboat Banshee, they spent over 30 years sailing with family and friends from Marblehead Harbor to the waters of the Virgin Islands to the south and the Gulf of Maine to the north.
She was an avid skier and in 1968 founded the Cliff-Dwellers Ski Club which she ran for 36 years. Norma had a keen sense for adventure and will be remembered for her deep love for her family and friends.
A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.
I am saddened by the news of the death of Norma, my long time friend and fellow Boston Yacht Club member. She was a big part of the sailing committee serving for years as a volunteer member. She lived her life with grace and dignity. I want her family to know that I care…Norma was quite a gal!