Norma K. Macklin

On a warm sunny autumn day, Norma Kay Macklin suddenly slipped away from those who loved her so very much. Norma was born November 13, 1946 and died October 24, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wesley O. and Marie (Landis) Macklin of Coldwater, MI. She was also preceded by her brother, Edward Wells, her dearest and closest friend Barbara McDowell, and her brother-in-law, Carolus Berry. Norma is survived by her sister, Jean Berry of Kalamazoo, her nephew, Chris Berry of Paw Paw, and her devoted niece, Cheryl Berry, Grand Ledge. In addition, she is survived by her great nephew, Eric Smith of Bothel, WA, her great niece, Rachel Hall (Chris), of Plainwell, MI, and her great-great niece, Cheryl-Anne Hall whom she loved dearly. She also leaves behind her Grand Rapids family, including Marlene Downes, Kathy Downes Lewis, Marcella Downes Wesche, and Barbara Downes O'Malley, and their children and grandchildren. Norma graduated from Coldwater High School in 1964 and from Western Michigan University 1968. She went on to earn her master's degree in Special Education with a certification to teach pre-primary impaired students. She began her teaching career in 1968 at Warren Woods Public Schools, where she worked until she retired in 2009. She loved teaching and worked diligently to meet the special needs of her students. During her career she served as Vice President of Warren Woods Education Association (WWEA) and represented the teachers of Warren Woods at the National Association Conventions. She considered her work with the union especially important because it afforded her the opportunity to help make the lives of teachers better as she worked to limit class sizes and make sure that teachers had what they needed to be their best. Norma was an avid reader and belonged to several book clubs as well as many other social groups. She was a strong, independent, intelligent and caring woman who was a friend to all she met. Norma's friendships were for a lifetime. She loved her friends dearly and cherished their time together. She was a loyal and trusted friend who was always calm in a crisis. Norma was a fighter for social justice for all and an advocate for those without a voice. She was an MSU Spartan fanatic and loved attending football and basketball games. She cherished her trips with Barb to the Bowl Games and the yearly trips to the Big Ten basketball tournaments. Norma's generosity, kindness, sense of humor and infinite loyalty and compassion for friends and family are truly her legacy. She will be greatly missed, and her memory will remain with us forever. A Celebration of Life is planned for December 11, 2022, at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center at Michigan State University, 1-3 p.m. Friends and family are asked to consider donations to the Michigan Democratic Party, Bridges4Kids (info@bridges4kids.org ), or a charity of choice benefiting at-risk children.

Norma K. Macklin

November 13, 1946 - October 24, 2022