Norma J. Armstrong

Norma J. Armstrong (neé Toth) passed away peacefully at her home in Fountain Hills, Arizona on December 23, 2020, surrounded by members of her family and caregivers, with her favorite Christmas music playing in the background. She was 90 years old.

Norma was born November 7, 1930 in Charlerio, Pennsylvania, the only child of John and Edith Picinotti Toth. Even though Norma grew up as an only child, her extended family included 14 aunts and uncles on both her maternal and paternal sides and an abundance of cherished cousins. Although raised during the Great Depression and World War II, her parents sacrificed much to ensure she was educated, and for their sacrifice, she was forever grateful.

Norma graduated from Charleroi High in 1948 and attended her first year of college at St. Mary’s University in South Bend, Indiana. After her first year, she decided to fulfill her dream of becoming a registered nurse, transferring to Allegheny General Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh in 1949. She graduated from Allegheny General in 1952, and thereafter, enrolled at Duquesne University where she graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While enrolled at Duquesne, Norma worked as an emergency room nurse at Allegheny General. Her dedication, smarts and ambition led to her appointment as Assistant Director of Clinical Nursing at Allegheny General where she taught nursing until 1958.

Norma met her future husband, David Glenn Armstrong, in 1957, through mutual friends. They were married in Winchester Virginia on August 29, 1958. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where their three sons were born. The family moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1968, where David and Norma raised their family. When her boys were of school age, Norma was hired by the West Chester Area School District as a school nurse, a position she kept until 1988.

David and Norma retired to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 1992. Never satisfied with remaining idle, Norma became an active and founding member of the North Myrtle Beach Humane Society, becoming a board member and volunteer at all events. She was also an active member of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church. David and Norma loved dining out with friends, golfing, volunteering, finding the perfect Happy Hour spot, and hanging at the beach. They cherished visits from their sons, grandsons and friends. They traveled to Bermuda several times, took numerous cruises and visited countless locations throughout the United States. For her 70th birthday, Norma spent 7 days in Italy, the former home of her maternal grandparents.

Norma was a voracious reader, devouring countless books a year. When macular degeneration took her sight, she was undeterred; she ordered audio books which she cherished until the end of her life, She was a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan and expressed disgust in her final days when it looked as if the Steelers were throwing away a perfectly good season (which they did).

Norma moved to an independent living facility in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2012 to be closer to family. She was an active member of the community, enjoying season tickets to the Phoenix Symphony, attending countless Broadway shows, weekly dinners out, happy hours and visiting numerous attractions around Arizona.

Simply put, it was fun to hang around with Norma. She had a terrific sense of humor and infectious laugh. She was smart, ambitious, well-read, caring, and lively. She was resilient, even when faced with declining health. She never gave up. She was a great friend, primarily because she was a great listener. She always provided thoughtful, considerate advice and helped many, many people throughout her life. Norma lived life to the fullest extent possible.

Norma was predeceased by her parents John and Edith, her husband David, and her menagerie of beloved dogs throughout her life - Victoria, Oliver, MuChuck, Stacy, Baron, Max, and Winston.

Norma is survived by her three sons, Daniel (Fran) (Lincoln University, PA), David (Lisa) (Fountain Hills, AZ), and James (Choonhoe) (Philadelphia, PA); three grandsons, Evan (San Diego, CA), Christopher (Amy) (Philadelphia, PA) and Brian (Lincoln University, PA); one niece, Ellen Dalhstedt Irwin (Dick) (West Creek, NJ) and countless cousins on her maternal and paternal sides.

Pursuant to her wishes, Norma has been cremated. A small, private memorial service will be held when the threat of COVID 19 has subsided. In lieu of flowers, Norma requested that friends and family make a donation in her name to the Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach, SC. (https://humanesocietynmb.org) (under memorial donations) or P.O. Box 3369 North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.