Helen G. Normand
April 14, 1932 – January 13, 2024

Helen (Grabeel) Normand, 91, of Oak Ridge, TN, wife of the late David Thomas Normand (Tom), passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at the home of her daughter, Nancy (Normand) McDermott in Hatfield, PA.

Born in Rose Hill, VA, on April 14, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Van and Mollie (Smith) Grabeel. Helen graduated from Thomas Walker High School and attended 3 years at Lincoln Memorial University where she was “May Queen,” a member of the Tri-Delta sorority and roommates with her lifelong friend, Georgia Parman.

Helen retired from ORTEC where she worked in purchasing and then she and her late husband Tom owned “Normand’s Liquor and Wine” for many years where they enjoyed serving many in the community.

Helen was a member of the United Church, Chapel on the Hill, in Oak Ridge, where she worked as an administrative assistant for 16 years. Beyond her work, she was a member of the choir with the voice of an angel. Helen also served on the Fellowship Committee, the Memorial Committee and was a member of the Women’s Circle.

Helen’s love of golf kept her young. She loved golf, singing, dancing (she sure could “cut a rug”), time spent with her friends, playing bridge, playing bingo at the Elks, dining out, cooking for those she loved, enjoying warm sunny days by the pool or outside in her glider, reading a good book and spending time with her family.

Surviving Helen are her beloved children: Virginia (Ginger) Normand, David T. Normand, Jr., Nancy N. McDermott (Martin) and Robert M. Normand; her adored grandchildren: Kristen Jackson, Lauren Normand, Mollie Mooney (Tom), RJ Eldredge (Aly), Tyler Normand (Breanna), and Brian Normand (Jillian) and 8 treasured great grandchildren.

Along with her husband and parents she is predeceased by her daughter Melissa (Missy) G. Normand; sisters Ruth Ritter (Tex), Rosanna O’Dell (Phillip) brother Harold (Buster) Grabeel. Others she loved who went before her include her mother and father-in-law Dr. CE and Hazel Normand, brother-in-law Charles Normand, sister-in-law Vivian Joyce, sister-in-law Mary Bush (Drake), and many others she loved and lost.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the United Church, Chapel on the Hill, 85 Kentucky Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN. Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Helen’s name to the Memorial Fund at the United Church, 85 Kentucky Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.