Norma Torkelsen

Mystic — Norma Lillian Torkelsen passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Jan. 16, 2024, at the age of 99. She was born Norma Lillian Skaar in the Norwegian-American enclave of Bay Ridge in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sept. 17, 1924, to Samson and Kristine Skaar. She married U.S. Navy Lt. (j.g.) Stanley M. Torkelsen (19172010) Oct. 5, 1946. Always known by her middle name, Lillian, and Stan, an architect, lived much of their lives in Ardsley, N.Y., where they raised their three children, and she worked for many years as a teacher’s aide and school librarian.

She traveled extensively over the decades, including a year-long visit to Norway in 1938-39, during which she became close with her extended Norwegian family and her grandmother taught her to become an extremely skilled knitter. This otherwise wonderful trip ended with a harrowing sea voyage home, evading German submarines after the outbreak of war.

Lillian’s gracious ability to entertain clients of Stan’s architectural firm led to glamorous trips across the globe, from San Francisco to Paris to Jerusalem. At the end of 1960, they lived in Beirut, Lebanon, when it was still the Paris of the Mediterranean. Over the years, she also returned to visit Norway with her family many times. She continued to travel well into her golden years, visiting Spain and Morocco at the age of 87, and celebrating her 90th birthday in Bermuda.

She lived her later years in southeastern Connecticut where she was happiest being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A skilled Scrabble enthusiast, Lillian’s favorite place to play was at Watch Hill’s East Beach. She loved the seashore and enjoyed annual trips to Nantucket well into her nineties.

She is survived by her children, Kristine Lyman and her husband Bill of Stonington, Barbara Puritz and her husband Ben of Westerly, R.I., and Steven Torkelsen and his wife Liz of Wilton; her grandchildren: James Campbell of Oakland, Calif., Alexandra Vogt of Westerly, Lindsay Brewer of Pawcatuck, David Puritz of Iron Mountain, Mich., Jessica Puritz Torkelsen of Madrid, Spain, Emily Torkelsen of Wellesley, Mass., and Kristina Torkelsen of Wilton; and her great-grandchildren: Delilah Vogt of Westerly, Devin Brewer of Pawcatuck, and Soledad Gaillardo Puritz and Santos Gaillardo Puritz, both of Madrid. She is predeceased by her husband Stanley: her siblings, Sonja Fredricksen and Olaf Skaar; and a great-grandson, Erik Brewer.

Lillian was laid to rest in Elm Grove Cemetery in Mystic, Jan. 20. A private celebration of her life is planned for this summer. Donations in her memory may be made to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center or the Eliza Huntington Memorial Home.