Norma Parrish

Norma was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Marie Secrist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Commander Donald Parrish, USN (Ret), whom she married in 1968, and son, James Val Gibson, while serving in Vietnam and brother Leon Secrist.

Norma Jean Parrish was a member of Colonial Sail and Power Squadron, a unit of the United States Power Squadrons, The Wythe Woman’s Club of Hampton VA, and was a graduate of the Hampton Police Division Citizen Police Academy.

Prior to moving to Hampton Roads in 1999, Mrs. Parrish served as Commander of Prince George’s Power Squadron Bowie, Maryland where she achieved the Educational Grade of Advanced Pilot. Commander Parrish was a member of Hampton Roads Power Squadron before transferring to Colonial Sail and Power Squadron as a Charter Member. Locally, Commander Parrish qualified as a Vessel Examiner in 2002 and in 2009 became a Certified Boating Safety Instructor for Virginia.

Commander Parrish served on many committees at the local, District and National levels. In addition as serving as Squadron Commander a major achievement was her election as the first woman Commander of District 5 (1995-96) United States Power Squadrons. That region included New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia in addition to all of Virginia.

Known throughout the US for her work with the United States Power Squadrons in their support of NOAA, she served on District and National Cooperative Charting Committees and in 1997 became the first woman to serve as Staff Commander, and in 1988 advanced to the rank of Rear Commander, Chairing that Committee. She has been on the National Cooperative Charting Honor Roll foe over 20 years. Mrs. Parrish continued to serve as liaison between NOAA and USPS. As a member of the Government and Partner Relations Committee, Commander Parrish served as liaison between United States Corp of Engineers, NOAA and USPS. She also served as liaison with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and Homeland Security after September 2011.

Through her work with Colonial Sail and Power Squadron she has been a strong supporter of their work with Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) primarily through the Squadrons Poker Run which not only raised funds for VIMS but worked to increase public awareness of saving the Bay and safe boating. Community awareness of Safe Boating was a major focus not just in Hampton Roads but throughout the District and through her efforts District 5 and Colonial Power Squadron have won National USPS awards. Colonial Sail and Power Squadron was awarded the 1st Place Community Service Award at the USPS Annual Meeting in Jacksonville Florida in February 2013. There are over 430 other squadrons throughout the United States. Commander Parrish was often recognized for her outstanding work for the Recreational Boating Community.

Arrangements are currently pending.