TOPSHAM — Norma Wise, 85, died March 21 surrounded by family.

She was born in Pembroke Sept. 17, 1927, to Russell and Emma Carter. She attended local schools and graduated from Pembroke High School in 1944.

She moved in 1945 to South Paris, where she met and married Ronald Willis Wise. They married July 4, 1948, and made their homes in South Paris, Lewiston and Auburn, also venturing out to southern California and residing in Monrovia and Duarte. On returning to Maine they lived in South Paris, South Portland and Cumberland Center, and finally settled on Elm Street in Topsham in 1966. They raised their family and enjoyed many years of retirement before moving down the street to the Highlands Retirement Community.

Wise enjoyed her role as wife, mother and homemaker. She also worked at Clifford’s Rexall in South Paris, B. Peck Co. in Lewiston, L.L. Bean, and Wilbur’s Candy in Brunswick. She was active in her community, participating in the First Parish Church, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, and the School Band Boosters. She also volunteered as a nursing home visitor and classroom assistant. She regularly contributed homemade pies to the bean suppers held by the local rescue auxiliary.

Wise’s favorite activities revolved around her family. No family event was complete without her home-baked treats. She will long be remembered for her delicious pies, cookies and whoopie pies, and hosted numerous gatherings for family and friends.

Wise and her husband loved ballroom dancing, from the time of their first dates to much later years. They were members of the West Cumberland Society for the Preservation of Ballroom Dancing and danced every Saturday night in West Cumberland for 22 years. They also loved to travel and were able to explore California, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, Ecuador and the Caribbean.

Wise was a proud member of the Red Hat Societies of Georgetown.

She is predeceased by her brothers, Gordon Carter of Sanford and Granville Carter of Middletown, Conn; her husband of 64 years, Ronnie; her children Marilyn Romine and husband Ed of Lompoc, Calif., Ken Wise and wife Julie of Brunswick, Randy Wise of Topsham, and Marjorie Wyatt of Wolfeboro, N.H.; her grandchildren Megan Moore and husband Randy of Lompoc, Calif., Chris Romine of Lompoc, Calif., Amelia Wise of Brunswick, Adele Wise of Brunswick, Catlyn Campbell of Wolfeboro, N.H., and George Wyatt of Wolfeboro, N.H; her great-grandchildren, William and Jacob Moore of Lompoc, Calif.; sisters Muriel Jones of Brunswick, Gloria Hamor of Middletown, Conn., and Arolyn Mains of Middletown, Conn; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank the Brunswick Emergency Responders, the Freeport Emergency Responders, the staffs of Parkview Hospital and Maine Medical Center, and The Highlands for their care and comfort.

A funeral service was held Wednesday at First Parish Church in Brunswick. A committal service is being planned at the family plot in South Paris in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in honor of Norma Wise.

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