PALERMO – Norma Helena Marston Swift, 78, of Palermo passed away peacefully on July 19, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on Oct. 10, 1943, to Helen Doris Kopishke and Raymond Fredrick Marston.

She grew up in Litchfield, Farmingdale and graduated from Gardiner High School in 1961. That same year she married Gordon Swift. They moved to Palermo in 1963 to build a home and raise a family.

She spent her working years at Healthtex in Gardiner, Maine, The Department of Transportation and The Department of Labor and finally retiring in 2006. She also spent many years making and selling Artex and Vellux stuffed animals at craft fairs. A talent and passion she shared with her mother.

She had a great love for dancing, bowling, and spending winters in Ocala, Florida. She was also a member of the Palermo Christian Church where she made many friends.

She had a strong independent spirit that was unmatched with a laugh that was unique, contagious and will be deeply missed by all that knew her. You could hear the happiness and joy in it. Earlier this year, she took the time to write some words to paper that leaves us with this final thought, “There have been ups and downs, but it’s been a good life.”

She was predeceased by her mother and father, husband, Bertie Shorey, three brothers, Donald Marston, Calvin Marston, and Raymond (Pete) Marston and brother-in-law Richard (Dickie) Kemp.

She is survived by four children, Cheryl Allen and husband Russ, Gordon Swift and wife Neysa, Angela Swift, and Jeremy Swift and wife Tracy all of Palermo, three bothers, Ronald Marston and wife Debbie of Litchfield, David Marston of Albion, Barry Marston and wife Karolyn of Augusta, three sisters, Charlotte Kemp of Monmouth, Shirley Taylor and husband Fred of Farmingdale and Laurel Peaslee and husband David of Farmingdale, good friend Georgeann Cary, nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

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