Norma J. Reich

Norma June (Jennings) Reich, 93, of Methuen, passed away surrounded by her children on September 30, 2024 at Methuen Village at Riverwalk, Methuen, MA., after a short battle with cancer.

Norma was born on June 21,1931 in Methuen, MA., the fourth child of the late Howard V. and Doris B. Jennings of Salem, NH. Norma was educated in the Salem, NH schools and graduated from Salem High in 1949.

Norma showed a strong interest in music at an early age and began piano lessons followed shortly by organ lessons. By the time she was in high school, she was sharing her musical gift by playing sacred music in local churches on Sundays as well as serving as musical director and accompanist for several local musicals. One Christmas she was proud to be asked by a local church to play carols on the organ to be broadcast outside to passers-by. She played for more than 50 years as a church organist in numerous churches throughout Southern New Hampshire and the Merrimack Valley and was a sought-after wedding and funeral organist. She was the organist and choir director for more than 10 years at Eliot Presbyterian Church in Lowell, MA and continued as an organist in several churches until she, in her 80s, retired from Forest Street Union Church as co-organist with her friend Shirley MacKenzie.

Norma joined the Merrimack Valley chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) where she met her future husband, Robert J. Reich. They married on September 11, 1960, on the eve of Hurricane Donna, and were happily married for 63 years until his death in August of 2023. Music, especially organ music, was a big part of life for Norma and Bob and they remained deeply involved in the AGO for more than 60 years serving in various offices. Norma was also involved in supporting Bob as one of the Trustees of the Methuen Memorial Music Hall for much of her married life.

While she loved her music career, Norma’s first priority was devoted Mom to her three children. She supported them in summer camp, scouting, and numerous music and dance lessons and church activities. As their children spread their wings, Norma and Bob took the opportunity to visit their son Barry while he was stationed in the U.S. Army in Europe, their daughter Sylvia and her family in Colorado and Alabama, and daughter Althea while she was living in Vermont and New Hampshire. They especially enjoyed train travel and crisscrossed the United States and Canada by Amtrak visiting family and friends on the way.

In her last few years, Norma bravely weathered numerous health struggles without complaint. She was an excellent patient and was considered a favorite by those who cared for her in all healthcare settings. 

Norma is survived by her daughter Sylvia and her husband Steve Stager, her son Barry, her daughter Althea (Masterman), brother-in-law Donald and his  wife Janice. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Aimee and Kate Stager, great-granddaughter Violet Martin, nieces Anne Reich and Lexi Topper (Stephen) and nephew Andrew Salywon. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Howard Jennings, sisters Beatrice Salywon, Leona Jennings and Donna Berger.

Family and friends are invited to an hour of visitation on Saturday November 16, 2024 from 10 am to 11 am at the Forest Street Union Church, 15 Forest St., Methuen, MA. A service will immediately follow the visitation at 11 am at the church. A private family burial was held on October 4, 2024. Memorial gifts may be made to the Methuen Memorial Music Hall Great Organ Restoration Fund, 192 Broadway, Methuen, MA, 01844 mmmh.org,  Forest Street Union Church, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are by the Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home, 80 Broadway Methuen. To leave an online condolence, please visit Norma’s tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com.

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