Norma Goralski

East Lyme — Norma (Neri) Goralski, 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, with her family by her side.

She was the daughter of the late Caesar and Ebba Neri, born and raised in New Britain, and graduated with the Class of 1948 of New Britain High School.

Music was her passion so she majored in piano and organ at Connecticut College, graduating in 1952. Upon deciding that she wanted to teach, she earned her master’s degree at CCSC (now CCSU) and taught fifth grade at Roaring Brook School in Avon for over 25 years. She was also the math coordinator for all fifth-grade math programs. Norma started the school store as a teaching program for students and expanded into Hartford Schools.

Her love of music and sewing brought her into the school’s productions of musicals for which Norma designed and constructed the costumes. She also made the costumes for the productions at the Miss Porter’s School in Cheshire.

Norma was the widow of George Covert, an engineer with Pratt & Whitney with whom she had two children: Karen Covert of Clinton and Michael Covert (deceased).

Norma leaves her daughter, Karen Covert and Dennis Lynch; three granddaughters, Lisa Barto and husband, Andy, of New London, Jennifer Horan and husband, Chris, of Simsbury and Michele Forbes and husband, Rhett, of Collinsville; four great-grandchildren, Beck and Chase Barto and Tienan and Campbell Horan. She is survived by her brother, Eugene Neri and his wife, Natalie, of Niantic; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In her early 40s, Norma met and married William Goralski, a high school history teacher in Simsbury. Together they enjoyed many happy years living in Avon. Norma continued her love of music by singing in the choir of Avon Congregational Church and as director of the children’s choir. She was also the host of many receptions for families and friends of the deceased after church members’ funerals in the church parlor.

After Bill’s death in December 2014, Norma moved to Crescent Point in Niantic where she was known as the lady with the crossword puzzles, a constant challenge.

Her family is thankful for the loving care given to Norma by the staff at Crescent Point and by Hospice.

A service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at the Avon Congregational Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.