Patsy Pickard Norman

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patsy Pickard Norman, 75, of Raleigh, NC. Patsy passed away at home on March 28, 2023 after many years battling breast cancer. The days and weeks preceding her death were filled with visits and phone calls from dear friends, many of whom she’d known for decades and who cannot imagine a world bereft of her generosity, kindness, and sense of humor.

Patsy was born to Thomas Edward 'Ed' Pickard, Jr. and Frances Turner Pickard in 1948. She was born and raised in Charlotte, NC where she attended Myers Park High School. After high school she graduated from Marjorie Webster Junior College in Washington, DC, where she was elected president of the college’s secretarial college and chosen to be a graduation marshal. Patsy settled in Raleigh, NC where she made her home for more than fifty years.

Much of Patsy’s life revolved around being the best mom possible to her two children, Gina (Pickard) Norman Likins and Drew Taylor Norman. This included all of the normal “mom stuff” — being the class chaperone on field trips, driving carpool, ferrying them here, there and everywhere — but more importantly, Patsy did everything possible to ensure that her children knew they were loved and that they could count on her for anything.

Patsy worked at several organizations over the course of her career, including Fallon’s Flowers, Alfred Williams & Company, and Family Health International. She gave back to her community through volunteer work with the Junior League of Raleigh and the Lakemont Garden Club.

Darwin ‘D’ McIntyre, who Patsy lovingly referred to as “my Bear,” was Patsy’s partner and travel companion for more than 30 years.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Frances Pickard; her partner Darwin ‘D’ McIntyre; her niece Merry Marcotte; and her brother-in-law Charles ‘Chuck’ Marcotte.

Patsy is survived by her daughter Gina and son-in-law Adrian Likins of Raleigh, NC, and her son Drew and daughter-in-law Dr. Joanna Norman of Phoenix, AZ. She is also survived by her sister Jacqueline Marcotte and nephew Tom Marcotte of Houston, TX.

A memorial service will be held on April 8th at 3:00 p.m. at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 East Millbrook Road in Raleigh, with a reception immediately following. Memorial donations may be made to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (https://www.bcrf.org/) or UNC Hospice (https://give.unc.edu/hfdonate?p=MFHO).

The family would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for the kind care they provided to Patsy: Dr. Susan Moore and the team at REX Hematology Oncology Associates; Dr. Tina Harris; Ms. Lizzie Rogers; Nurse Next Door; CareYaYa; and UNC Hospice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownwynneeastmillbrook.com for the Norman family.