Norma J. Samra's Obituary
Norma J. (Richards) Samra, 92, beloved wife of the late Edmund G. Samra for 57 years, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on May 31, 2022 after a beautiful and fulfilling life.
A child of immigrant Lebanese parents, Philip & Wardeya (Khoury) Richards, Norma was born and raised in Methuen, MA and graduated from Searles High School in 1947. As a lifelong parishioner of St. George, Syrian Orthodox Church, Norma sang in the choir and ran the Lady’s Guild. As a young woman, Norma worked in her father’s store, “Richard’s Dress Shop” in Haverhill, MA where she became a talented seamstress and created much of the clothing sold in the store. She was taught to be a fabulous cook by her mom “Wardeya” and was known for making all the popular Arabic dishes you know today. Norma also enjoyed painting, drawing, gardening, and reading, but most of all her family.
Norma married Edmund Samra in 1956, together they raised 5 children, all the while, Norma and Edmund owned and operated “Samra’s Paint & Wallpaper” for over 40 years. She was an exceptional interior decorator assisting many residents and businesses throughout the Merrimack Valley. Norma’s sales accomplishments in the decorating industry awarded her and Edmund with trips to Italy & Hawaii, just to name a few.
Norma had a strong love of family, she is pre-deceased by her brother Ralph Richards of Methuen, MA, leaves her sister Helen Haddad of Shrewsbury, MA, sons David Samra of Tampa, FL, Charlie Samra of Methuen, MA, daughters, Andrea Samra of Haverhill, MA, Christine Samra of Portsmouth, NH, Alexis Halloran and her husband Frederick of Windham, NH.
Norma was known as “Sitho” to her 10 grandchildren and 8, soon to be 9, great grandchildren, as well as “Auntie Norma” to several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may call on Monday, June 6, 2022, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen, MA 01844. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 10:00 AM, at St. George Syrian Orthodox Church, 8 Lowell Street, Lawrence, MA. Interment will follow at United Lebanese Cemetery, Lawrence, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Norma’s name to St. George Syrian Orthodox Church, online, http://stgeorgelawrence.org/ministries/ladies-guild/. The family would like to thank the staff at Halcyon House of Methuen, Prescott House Nursing Home of North Andover and Compassus Hospice Care of North Andover for their care and compassion. For directions and online guestbook, please visit the funeral home website, www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Samra Family.
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