Norma Rita Slater (nee Straus) age 93 of Wayne died peacefully on February 4, 2009 at The Hospice of NJ.
She was born in Brooklyn, New York and had lived her formative years there. She attended Abraham Lincoln High School graduating with the Class of 1934. She then went to Saint Joseph’s College in Brooklyn where she received her BA in Social Sciences and graduated with the Class of 1938.
She later lived in Norfolk, VA, Maywood and Bloomingdale NJ, and Hoffman Estates, IL before moving to Wayne in 1964.
In Wayne, she was employed at the Immaculate Heart of Mary School where she taught fourth grade for over twenty years. Shortly after retiring from teaching, Norma took a job with the Wayne Counseling Center becoming their Evening Office Manager. She worked there for twenty-four years before retiring in 2008.
Norma was very devoted to her Catholic faith setting aside each day to spend time with God by attending Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, or private prayer. She was a parishioner at the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wayne. She also kept in touch with her friends in faith by participating in services at Our Lady of Consolation, Our Lady of the Valley, and Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Being the “lovely lady” she was, she volunteered at the Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains working with their Social Services Department. She also applied her faith as a Eucharistic Minister at local nursing homes.
In high school she met Francis Graham Slater and they dated through their college years and beyond. Frank wore down her resistance to marriage, and he finally caught her in 1942, beginning their adventure as “loving partners” in a marriage that lasted forty-three years until Frank’s passing in November 1985.
Norma, by nature, liked people and was always there to help others and lend an understanding ear. Bringing particular joy and pride into her life’s journey was the arrival of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who she loved with all of her heart.
In her free time, she enjoyed reading and knitting, making sweaters and hats for her family and for those in need. She was also a skilled baker, and her chocolate chip cookies were appreciated by all.
Surviving to celebrate this very special lady are four sons Francis G. Slater and his wife Dr. Joan Slater of Spring, TX, Robert V. Slater and his wife Kathe of Palatine, IL, William S. Slater and his wife Carol of Charleston, SC, Mark E. Slater; one daughter Rosemary Johnson and her husband Michael of Wayne; eight grandchildren David Slater and his fiancée Hannah, Kristin & Kylie Slater, Nicole Stacy and her husband Joe, Brian Slater, Melissa Ginsburg and her husband Matthew, Rebecca Slater and her husband Eric Gangloff, William Slater, Jr. and his wife Shayna; five great grandchildren Erik and Matthew Stacy, Caleb and Cecilia Ginsburg and James Slater Gangloff.
Funeral services will be held 9 AM on Monday, February 8, 2010 from the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne then to Our Lady of Consolation Church, 1799 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Sunday, February 7, 2010 from 2-6 PM.
Entombment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Norma’s name may be made to: Wayne Counseling & Family Services, 1022 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, NJ 07470-3209 or The Hospice of New Jersey, 224 Hamburg Tpk. / 6th Floor, Wayne, NJ 07470 would be appreciated.