Prospect Harbor
Norma L. Murray, 84, passed away on May 1, 2022, at Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital. Norma was born in Prospect Harbor on Jan. 6, 1938, the daughter of Charles E. and Marguerite H. (Leighton) Kelley.
Norma grew up in Prospect Harbor and attended local schools. She graduated from Sumner Memorial High school, Class of 1955. In 1955, Norma made the big leap and moved to Portland. After many years in the Portland area, she moved to Tavares, Fla., finally making her way back to Maine in 1999 to be closer to her daughter and her grandsons because of a breast cancer diagnosis.
Norma was a kind soul who loved to help everyone in the community. She enjoyed volunteering her time to the Maine Breast Cancer Association. She also worked as a trustee for the Ellsworth Elks Club B.P.O.E. No. 2743, she was the treasurer of Prospect Harbor United Methodist Church from 2013 to present day and, most importantly, she finally retired at age 80.
When Norma wasn’t spending time with her family or volunteering her time, you could find her gardening or with the other members of the Red Hat Society, who called themselves the “Down East Red Hot Mamas.”
Norma is survived by her daughter, Susan Soper; her grandchildren, Michael Kelley and partner Krystal Jordan and Christopher Cowperthwaite and wife, Mary; great-grandchildren, Brayden and Addyson Kelley, Drew and Miles Jordan, Gaven, Kayden and Aria Cowperthwaite; adopted grandson Greg Ingallas of Virgina, adopted daughter, Robin Robertson and husband, Tom, and their family; two special nieces, Karen Smith and her husband, Larry, and their family, Cynthia McBrady and her husband, Tim, and their family; sister-in-law, Gladys Kelley; and aunt, Pauline Kelley. She was preceded into death by her parents, her brother, Eugene Kelley and many aunts and uncles.
Friends may call Monday, May 9, 2022, from 4-7 p.m., with a 6 p.m. Elks service at Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, 215 Main St., Ellsworth. A funeral celebrating Norma’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Prospect Harbor United Methodist Church, 57 Main St., Prospect Harbor. Honoring Norma’s wishes, a private burial will immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Norma’s name can be made to Ark Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 276, Cherryfield, ME 04622.