NEW BEDFORD — Norma Ann (Brightman) Case, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, daughter, cousin and friend, died Tuesday, April 6, 2010, surrounded by members of her family, at home after a long illness. She was 73.
Norma and her loving, devoted husband, Robert T. Case, both of this city, celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in December. She was the daughter of the late Merton L. Sr. and Gladys H. (Clark) Brightman.
Born in New Bedford, she graduated from New Bedford High School in 1954. She and her husband began raising their family in the city and later moved to Westport. They retired to Florida in 1989, where she earned an associates degree and became a nurse, fulfilling a lifelong ambition. The Cases returned to New Bedford in 2007 due to Norma's illness. Outstanding medical care and a remarkable medicine allowed her to spend three more years with her family around her.
She was a maternal figure to many, opening her home to members of traveling musical groups through her church and to several friends of her children. She was adored and admired for her sweet, gentle and patient disposition as well as for her unique strength and stubbornness.
Above all else, she strove to reflect Jesus through her life to everyone around her.
Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Ruth Savino and her husband, Richard, of New Bedford, Eva Voss of Fall River and Naomi Case of New Bedford; three sons, Nathan Case and his wife, Grace Rouxinol-Case, of Dartmouth, Mark Case of Pensacola, Fla., and his former wife, Susan Perry, of Tarboro, N.C., and Andrew Case and his wife, Christine, of Cranston, RI; 10 grandchildren, Rachel Faria and her husband, John, and Melissa Manderson and her husband, Nathaniel, all of Bristol, RI, Neil Waite and his wife, Lindsay, of Fall River, JohnAnthony Joaquim Jr., of Dartmouth, Christopher Joaquim of New Bedford, Robert Case II and his wife, Diana, of Chesapeake, Va., Thomas Case of Pensacola, and Joshua, Jaedon and Olivia Case, all of Cranston; six great-grandchildren, Loryn Veilleux, Lily and John Faria, and Thea and Tessa Manderson, all of Bristol, and Stacia Joaquim of Westport; one step-grandchild, Henry Ventura of Dartmouth; two sisters-in-law, Lillian "Pat" Rounseville of Dartmouth and Charlotte Brightman of Norfolk, Va.; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and the sister of her heart, Dolores Ferreira of Bradenton, Fla.
She was the sister of the late Merton L. Jr., Floyd and Eugene Brightman.
A gathering in her memory is planned for Friday evening, April 9, 2010, at a family home. Relatives and friends are invited to contact family members for details