Norma Carey, a lifelong resident of Bethlehem and Southbury, passed away on June 14, 2024, at the age of 68.

Norma was born at Waterbury Hospital on April 9, 1956. She was the eldest daughter of the late Esther Coe Ludorf and Calvin "Bucky" Ludorf, of Southbury. She attended Southbury Consolidated, Rochambeau, and Southbury High School, graduating in 1975. Norma attended Dean Junior College in Franklin, MA, then transferred to Central Connecticut State University.

Growing up on both her grandparent's farms in Woodbury & Southbury, influenced Norma's interests throughout her life. Thanks to the people and places there, she developed lifelong interests in folk, bluegrass and hymnal music, along with animals of all kinds, especially songbirds. Land conservation was a cause she had strong feelings for all her life.

New England's rivers and lakes, along with the ocean, were always close to Norma's heart. She enjoyed summers in Nantucket with her family throughout her youth.  As an adult, she continued her love of the water with boating & fishing trips off the New England coast and the Grand Caymans.

Travel was another passion for Norma, as she visited many National Parks, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the United Kingdom. Southern California was a special place for her, as she went there several times to visit her cousin Gigi and later, two of her grandsons.

Norma enjoyed camping, hikes and day trips with family and old friends.  She always enjoyed a competitive game of cards after dinner.  As a past time, she enjoyed tag sales with cousins, Gigi & Mark, and took comfort with knitting, gardening and reading.   She and her family at the Ludorf farmhouse had a vegetable and herb garden over the years, and she was an invaluable resource for family and friends on gardening topics.

Norma took great pride in her work.  During high school years, Norma made pizza at Lorenzo's, in "The Hook" and later, she worked as an usher at Southbury Playhouse.

She loved working at Southbury Training School, where she spent 30 years before retiring.  But she was not done serving her community. She volunteered with Bethlehem Town Government, where she was on the Inland/Wetlands Board, and was an active and longtime member of Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition.

In addition to her parents, Norma is predeceased by her younger brother, Dean Ludorf.

She is survived by her beloved daughters Ariel Carey, and Leann Carey, along with her older brother, Martin Ludorf (Deborah) and baby sister, Kathy Lent (David), niece Holly Wilson (Jimmy), grand-nieces Farrah and Lexi, and her dear Auntie RieRie (Marie Ludorf).

Norma's greatest source of pride and joy were her grandson's, Matthew Carey, William Carey, Waylon Ludorf Ryder, and Alexander Carey, along with being the cherished "Nana" to Phoenix.

Norma was also blessed in life with so many dear cousins, extended family, and plenty of good friends.  We all will miss her very much.

Norma's daughter, Ariel Carey and Norma's family extend their heartfelt gratitude to the kind nurses from Hospice and all caregivers at Bethel Health Care Center.

A Celebration of Life for Norma will be held Friday, June 21, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at South Britain Congregational Church, 693 South Britain Rd., Southbury.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Norma with a donation to protect Connecticut's environment:

Audubon Society of Connecticut, 314 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT  06824

Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition, 39 Sherman Hill Road, Suite C103, Woodbury, CT 06798.

Audubon Society of Connecticut
314 Unquowa Rd., Fairfield CT 06824
Web: https://www.ctaudubon.org/donate/

The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition
39 Sherman Hill Rd. Suite C-103, Woodbury CT 06798
Tel: 1-203-263-0076
Web: http://www.pomperaug.org