Norma Powell

Norma Genevieve (Dargie) Powell, 93, died May 29, 2026, at Timothy Daniels House in Holliston. She was born on Sept. 8, 1932, in Malden, and was the daughter of the late Percival and Edith Dargie. Norma was married to the late David Henry Beach for 25 years, and then married to the late Robert M. Powell, who died in 1999.

Norma grew up in Malden and graduated from Malden High School, class of 1950. Following high school, she earned a degree in nursing from Lesley University in Cambridge. She worked as a nurse at Mass General Hospital in Boston, Boston Medical Hospital and her sons’ high school, The Governor’s Academy in Byfield.

Norma loved her Jesus and her faith was strong. She tried to live her life to serve her Lord. As she attended Byfield Parish church, she and her first husband, Dave, faithfully sang in the choir for many years. In her later years, as she attended Faith Community Church in Hopkinton, she served as the church librarian and as a third grade Sunday school teacher with her second husband, Bob Powell. She also served with the Care and Concern Team. And as she attended The Congregational Church of Westborough, she served during coffee hour and attended Bible studies. Her favorite psalm was Psalm 23.

Norma’s other passion was singing and dancing. She and her first husband, Dave, joined the New Essex Players in Newburyport for many years. Some of the plays that she was involved with were “Guys and Dolls,” “Oklahoma” and “The Music Man,” just to name a few. Norma was involved with line dancing as she grew into her senior years. She was involved with the Westborough Chorus for over 10 years and was involved with the group’s performances each spring and fall.

Norma loved to enjoy the great outdoors: She loved going camping and hiking with her young family. She loved to go swimming, biking and boating. She loved going with her family to fairs such as the Topsfield Fair every year. And she always loved attending amusement parks. She loved going to the beaches, especially to Plum Island in Newbury and Hampton Beach in New Hampshire. And she loved watching the fireworks with her family every year. Norma loved to go snow skiing in the New Hampshire mountains with her family, as well as go cross-country skiing. She also loved to travel to places such as Mexico, Bermuda and the Bahamas.

Norma was an amazing seamstress. She made mother/daughter clothes and then made mother/daughter clothes for her daughter and granddaughters. She made her daughter’s wedding dress and veil. And she even made herself and her daughter raincoats. She loved knitting and made sweaters, blankets, hats and scarves.

Her skills in the kitchen led her to start a cookie ministry in her later years. She loved making pies and cookies and giving them to just the right people at just the right time.

Norma is survived by her children: James Beach and partner Sandra Buttons, Jeffery (Jane) Beach and Lauren (Paul) Nauman; and her grandchildren: Chris (Sheila) Beach, Jon Beach and partner Marina Royal, Galen (Kate) Beach, Nathaniel Beach, Amy Nauman (predeceased), Hannah (Drew) Heinrich, Josiah (Monique) Nauman, Jen (Steve) Seuss, Heather Holmes and partner Ken Field and Travis (Hannah) Albee. She also leaves 13 great grandchildren. Norma will be sorely missed.

Following cremation, Norma will be laid to rest at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Hopkinton. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home and will be published on its website.

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