DEER ISLE – Norma Dorothy Klemenz Vickerson, 81, passed away Dec. 5, 2016, in Deer Isle. Born in Stonington on Jan. 24, 1935, daughter of Norman and Harriet F. (Larrabee) Sellers. Later Norma’s mother married Samuel W. Judkins, who adopted Norma and her younger brother Paul. Norma was a young child when her family moved to Connecticut for work during the Second World War. Norma grew up in Connecticut but returned to Stonington each summer to live with her grandmother, Georgina Larrabee.
On Feb. 8, 1952, Norma married James E. Klemenz. Norma and James raised seven children in Connecticut and also were foster parents to hundreds of children over the years for the state of Connecticut and the state of Maine and for Catholic Family Services in the Archdiocese of Hartford.
When James became ill in 1976, the family moved to Deer Isle to be near relatives during James’ illness. James passed a year after the move to Maine. In 1979, Norma married Harry R. Vickerson, a pastor to the family during James’ illness. Harry and Norma later became parents to a son and a daughter, Adam and Leslie.
Norma is survived by her beloved husband, Harry R. Vickerson, three daughters: Patricia Leach and her husband, William, of Deer Isle, Marie Rolon and her husband, Mario, of Wisconsin, and Leslie Duncan and her partner, Ryan Matson, of Deer Isle; five sons: James and his partner, Colleen, Peter Klemenz and his wife, Laurie, both of Stonington, Keith Klemenz and his wife, Sonda, of Little Deer Isle, Daniel Klemenz and his partner, Kelly, of Deer Isle, and Michael Klemenz and his wife, Pam, of Sedgwick, 26 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Norma is also survived by two sisters: Sandra (Mrs. Bruce) Jones of Stonington and Ann (Mrs. Walter) Yatzook of Connecticut, and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her first husband of 26½ years, James E. Klemenz, son Adam Vickerson, her brother Paul Judkins, grandson Daniel Parker and two great-grandchildren, Alivia and Madden Parker.
Norma’s vigil is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Stonington. Mass service begins at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Stonington. Christian burial to follow at Mount Adams Cemetery in Deer Isle. Memorial contributions may be made to the Adam Vickerson Scholarship Fund at Saint Joseph’s College. Arrangements entrusted to Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Memories may be shared at www.bragdonkelley.com.
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