Norma had been a Mumsnet regular over the years across the boards, with a real zest for politics, feminism and strong opinions about Boris Johnson, as anyone at the MN 15th birthday party will tell you. Remembering THE Heckle which was epic. Love her for it. She also ran the Christmas appeal which would have been an astonishing amount of work. She cared enough for others to make it happen. Norma genuinely touched the lives of so many here on Mumsnet, ours included. Such a compassionate beautiful soul.
It was desperately shocking to hear of her death in August. She had been very ill and in the end her body couldn't cope any more. Devastating for her husband and their wonderful children, their families and friends. They will miss her terribly.
Norma really wasn't one to burden others with her worries, but was a very kind and selfless friend. So supportive of others. Generous to a fault in many ways, and very bloody entertaining. We can all learn from her.
We were so glad when her family accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug, truly there will be love in every stitch. Can you help us? We shall need donors and crafters alike, please post below with offers of help.
Norma was a passionate feminist and so we are looking a suffragette colours as our main palette, so please do check these out..
Main colours
Suffragette purple
Suffragette green
Cream but please one of the following - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 02 ecru, Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM4 cream, or Drops Merino 01 off white
Accents - so not whole squares, but use within a square
Blues
Oranges
Black
Silvers
Red, but one of these two please, Drops Merino Extra Fine 11 Red, or Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM6 ‘Ruby’ please
Yellow please Drops merino extra fine DK no 24 ‘light yellow’
We have some ideas from knowing her across the boards, but different folk knew her differently, so please let us know if you have other ideas.
The ideas we have
Anything connected to feminism and the Suffragettes
Boris Out/ Tories Out/ love for the EU themes would be great.
She loved olives, Border collies, ravens and crows!
She was passionate about the NHS.
Bali was her favourite place.
She loved Banksy, Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett
With your love and support we’d actually like to create TWO blankets, one for her family and a second to auction for Refuge, to help raise some funds in her name. So if making, please try to make a couple of extras, especially in the Suffragette colours.
Simple or complex, made by beginner or expert, we genuinely welcome them all. It really is the love and thought that counts.*
Squares to be six inches, using 4mm needles or hook. Please knot off VERY carefully when finishing or changing colour and sew your ends in, thank you! Previous blankets can be seen on our website
When ready for posting, it will be the Teddington address, if you would like to include a card for Norma’s family, please do, we will pass it on.
Such a stalwart for so many here on Mumsnet, time to do something for her now
We were lucky to know her.
Sending so much love 