Norma Marie Martin was born and baptized Marie Olivette Norma Bastarache on October 29, 1925 in Ste. Marie, New Brunswick, Canada. The first daughter of Hilaire Bastarache, a carpenter, and Sophie (Leger) Bastarache, a homemaker, Norma had four siblings –Donald the oldest, Geneva, Freda and Florence. Donald and Norma were born in Canada before the family migrated to the United States taking up residence at 9 Bulfinch Street in Lynn, Mass. Norma obtained her US citizenship on December 17, 1934 and legally adopted the name Norma Marie Bastarache.

Norma attended Saint Jean-Baptiste elementary and high school. She married childhood sweetheart, Rene "Gene" Martin, on June 17, 1950 in Lynn, Mass. When Norma was widowed at the age of 48, she was embraced by her siblings and their families and was a welcome guest at every family's events.

Norma worked at SEIU Local 254 traveling by train from Reading every day to Boston until she retired at 62.

Norma loved to go camping in New Hampshire in a little pink trailer and traveling the world. She toured Paris with Gene and later traveled with her sister Freda and brother-in-law Ed Sullivan to Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Florida, San Francisco, and Antiqua to name a few.

Norma was an avid ballroom dancer and in 1977took up golf with her sister Geneva taking lessons at Thomson Country Club in North Reading. This senior set of "snowbird" golfers played in Florida in the winter and at Cedar Glen in Saugus during the summer months.

Norma's favorite hobby was needlepoint and she surprised her many nieces and nephews with autographed "masterpieces".

But above all, Norma was a true sports fan --following the Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, professional tennis and golf.

A long-time resident of Reading, Norma had many friends and was active with a group of "swim ladies" at the YMCA water aerobic classes. The group grew to 18 members and they all enjoyed coffee at MacDonald's on Main Street and celebrating each other's birthdays and special events.

Norma was the beloved wife of the late Rene "Gene" Martin.  Predeceased by her cherished siblings Donald Bastarache, Geneva Tewksbury, Freda Sullivan, and Florence Howard.  She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 7 at St. Athanasius Church 300 Haverhill St. Reading at 10:30AM.  Burial will follow at St. Jean-Baptiste Cemetery in Lynn.  A visitation will be held prior to the Mass at the Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading from 9:00AM-10:00AM.

Those who wish may make contributions in Norma's memory to the charity of their choice.