Norma was born on February 4, 1926 in Harrisburg, IL, and was raised there by her parents Calvin and Della (Upchurch) Martin. She developed a passion for music at an early age, and majored in music at Southern Illinois University. She played her prized Conn trumpet in the marching band, as well as in popular dance bands. Norma was a bit of an anomaly in that not many “girls” played the trumpet or participated in sports in that era. She prided herself on being a tomboy.
She moved to Pontiac, MI to serve as Director of Music in the Recreational Therapy Department at Pontiac State Hospital. About that time, she also took up photography, which would become her second lifelong passion.
She met Ben Barton at a dance, and they were married in 1949. They had three children, Brian, Karen, and Karla, but ultimately divorced. She married Glen (“Nick”) Nicholai in 1965. They had one child, Mark. Norma and Nick spent wonderful years together in Ann Arbor raising the children, eventually becoming grandparents and great-grandparents. Once the children were grown, Norma devoted even more time to photography, taking countless pictures of the many interesting places and people in Ann Arbor. When spending time with family or friends, it was inevitable that Norma would pull out one of her favorite Nikon cameras and start taking pictures. She became proficient with digital photography, and even had a website where she would upload her photographs.
Norma didn’t neglect her love of music, however. She would regularly play her organ, and worked part-time at SHAR Music.
Norma was also an avid swimmer, and could be found swimming laps at the Ann Arbor Y almost every morning for many years. She developed many friendships there with the other members of the “5:00am swimming gang.” She enjoyed the Y so much she even worked there part-time.
Norma was a long time member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, and later returned to the Catholic faith as a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Norma was preceded in death by her husband Nick. She is survived by her four children Brian Barton (Celia Moya), Karen Barton Doute, Karla Barton (Erich Gansmuller), and Mark Nicholai (Michelle Nicholai), her grandchildren Michael Barton (Heather Barton), Kevin Barton, Kelly Brinkley, William Brinkley, Tiffany Morris (Jeff Morris), Shanelle Henry (Branden Henry), and Calvin Nicholai, and her great-grandchildren Bryce Barton, Emma Barton, Lydia Barton, Chloe Brinkley, Skye Brinkley, Abigail Morris, and Easton Henry.
Norma was above all, a devoted and much-loved mother. She considered her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to be an absolute blessing and joy. She will be deeply missed, but will be kept in the hearts of her family and others fortunate enough to have known her.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 12 from 6-8 p.m. at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 South 4th Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. The interment service, with Reverend Father James P. Conlon presiding, will be held on Thursday, August 13 at 12 p.m. at Arbor Crest Memorial Park, 2521 Glazier Way, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6