Norma J. Thomas, 88, passed away on March 23 surrounded by her children. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph M. Thomas.

Born in New Bedford, MA, Norma was the daughter of the late George and Kaffa (Dumas) Peters. She lived in New Bedford all of her life. 

She was a communicant of Our Lady of Purgatory Church and a member of the Saint Joseph's Sodality.

A graduate of Holy Family High School and Saint Elizabeth's School of Nursing, she received her BS from Boston College and her MS from Boston University. She was a registered nurse before being instrumental in helping establish the medical assistant program at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. 

The youngest of 11 phenomenal sisters, Norma was the cool aunt who introduced her nieces and nephews to the mysteries of Halloween, European cars, and global travel. As a mom, she taught her children unwavering loyalty, the benefits of hard work, and the belief that the sun will always come out tomorrow. She instilled a love of Broadway show tunes, classic rock, and the "Gray Lady" to all who knew her. She knew that a cigarette and a glass of scotch could cure any ailment and her smile could light up a room. There is a Lebanese saying, "the world is the mother" and she was definitely our world. She will be missed. 

She is survived by her sister Mary Ann Chomak of New Bedford; daughter Sarah Thomas and her husband Nigel Hitchings of Mattapoisett; daughter Rachael Higgins and her husband Daniel of New Bedford; and son Michael Thomas and his wife Kelly of New Bedford. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Paul (Destiny), Joshua (Hannah), Timothy (Julia), Anna, Joseph, Cole, Saffron, and Helen; her great grandchildren Brayden, Aceyn, Olivia, and Avery; and many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was the sister of the late Sr. Mary Rose Peters, RSM, Cecile Attalah, Mary Barckett, Freda Thomas, Ann Abraham, Theresa Coury, Emily Alves, Louise Dupre, and Octavia David. 

The family would like to thank the staff at The Royal Nursing Home in Fairhaven who took care of her with grace and dignity. 

Her Funeral will be held on Thursday, March 26th at 8:45 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Purgatory Church, 1231 Acushnet Ave., 02745 New Bedford, MA. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, March 25th from 4-7 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Our Lady of Purgatory Church.