Norma Towne Clayton, age 83, of Hockessin, DE, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, after several years of coping with Alzheimer's disease and related health challenges.

Born in Naples, ME, Norma was the daughter of the late Elsie (Treadwell) and Norman P. Towne. A 1959 graduate of Bridgton High School, she went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of Maine. She later moved to Delaware, where she began a rewarding career as a Mathematics teacher at A.I. Dupont High School, retiring in 1991. A lifelong learner, Norma earned two advanced degrees from the University of Delaware—a Master of Education (1969) and a Master of Business Administration (1982)—as well as a Certificate in Nonprofit Management (1993). Following her retirement from teaching, she embarked on a second career in Planned Giving at West Chester University.

Norma was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and a cherished friend to many. She found joy in volunteering, playing tennis, traveling with her husband, John, and spending summers in Bridgton, ME. Above all, she treasured time with her family and friends. In her retirement, Norma embraced her love of music, singing in the choirs at both Cokesbury Village and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. She and John were deeply involved in their faith community at First and Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, where they met, and remained active at Cokesbury Village, their home for the past 14 years. Norma's passion for service led her to leadership roles, including serving as Moderator of New Castle Presbytery, serving on the board of the NCC Retired Teachers Association, and supporting the planned giving efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.

In addition to her parents, Norma was predeceased by her beloved husband of 54 years, John M. Clayton Jr., in 2023, as well as her brothers, Gerald and John Towne. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Signe Bell, and her husband, Jason; her cherished granddaughters, Amelia and Adeline Bell; her brother, Kenneth Towne; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close family friends whom she dearly loved.

A memorial service will be held on April 5 at 11 a.m. at First and Central Presbyterian Church, 1101 Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Norma's memory be made to the Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity, P.O. Box 544, Bridgton, ME 04009.