Obituary of Norma J. Galusha

Athol: Norma Jean (Hastings) Galusha, 79, passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday January 6th, 2019 at her home in Athol, surrounded by her loving family. She was born April 19th, 1939 in Warrensburg, New York to parents Charles and Madeline (Olds) Hastings. Norma grew up in Warrensburg, attending Warrensburg High School, with her siblings, Marilyn, Karen, Patricia, and Charles. She was a diligent, responsible student, excelling in mathematics, with aspirations to become a nurse. Norma was a cheerleader, was crowned prom queen and graduated from Warrensburg High School in 1957. In August of 1959, Norma and James Elliott Galusha were married in the United Methodist Church in Johnsburg. August 1st of this year would have been their 60th wedding anniversary. They lived happily on their farm on Charles Olds Road in Athol (Town of Thurman) with their two sons, Randy Charles Galusha and Patrick James Galusha where they raised horses, cows and other animals. As a young woman, Norma worked at the Empire Shirt Factory in Warrensburg with her mother and later for Richards Library. For many years she worked with Jim and Randy on the horse farm, Toad Hill Stud Farm, and later in the maple business at Toad Hill Maple Farm. In 1973, when Randy broke his arm, Norma singlehandedly tapped every tree in the sugarbush. In her later years she did payroll and bookkeeping for Patrick’s business, Patrick J. Galusha Construction. Norma was very involved in the early education of her four beloved grandchildren, serving as “homeroom mom” during the school year, bringing in homemade treats for bake sales, and attending their countless concerts, games, and awards ceremonies. She was active for much of her life in the community, serving as president of the local Sugarloaf Mountain senior citizens organization, and participating in community and church events. Norma was an avid baker and she enjoyed teaching her granddaughters how to make homemade pie crusts and baking powder biscuits from scratch. She loved to spend hours talking on the phone and shopping with her sisters, Karen Deuell (late husband John), Marilyn Becker, and her late sister, Patricia Shea (Robert). They would visit each other often and had annual shopping traditions like attending the World’s Largest Garage Sale. Norma often spoke highly of her late brother, Charles (Chuck) Hastings, Jr, admiring his fluency in many languages. In the last years of her life, much of Norma’s time was spent with her husband, Jim traveling, taking long Sunday drives, shopping for antiques, visiting farm stands to buy fresh berries for pies, and keeping up with those she loved most, including their sons Randy and his wife Jill, and Patrick and his wife Kathleen. Her greatest treasures survive in the accomplishments of her four beloved grandchildren. Most recently, Norma was overjoyed to; share in the birth of her first greatgrandchild, Ryan Marie, born to her granddaughter, Taylor Jean Galusha; attend the wedding of her grandson Nathan James Galusha to Kaleigh (O’Hanlon) Galusha; watch her granddaughter, Lindsey Erin Galusha as she earns her Doctor of Pharmacy degree; and witness her youngest grandson, Justin James Galusha, continue the family construction business that she once worked for. The Galusha Family invite you to attend a memorial service to celebrate Norma’s life on Sunday, January 20th, 2019 at 2 PM at the Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street in Warrensburg. Friends may call on the family from 12-2 PM before the service. A luncheon will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Warrensburg at 2 Stewart Farrar Avenue immediately following the service. In the spring, Norma will be laid to rest alongside her mother and father in the Warrensburg Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Warrensburg, 2 Stewart Farrar Avenue, Warrensburg, NY 12885. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book, condolences, and directions.