Norma Jean Bickford

Wolfeboro- Norma Jean Bickford passed away May 21, 2018 at Wentworth Douglas Hospital following a brief illness. She was 82.

Norma Glidden was born on her family farm in Alton, NH on June 15, 1936. The daughter of Augustus Glidden and Mable (Clough) she was the second of 5 children. After attending school at Alton High School, Norma took a job at the Blue Jay restaurant in Alton Bay, where she met her future husband, of 53 years, Clark Bickford. Clark’s family owned the Oak Birch Inn on Alton Bay.

Following their marriage on June 21, 1954 the happy couple moved to Chicago where Clark served in the Army. They then returned to Wolfeboro to raise their 3 children. In 1964 they moved to Tuftonboro to take over the operation of Winter Harbor Lodges.

In the early 1970s Norma and her sister, Barbra Lemery, opened the Second Chance Closet in Clark Plaza, a resale clothing store that was far ahead of its time. Later they would open the Calico Corner in South Wolfeboro, teaching quilting and dispensing goods and advice. They were founding members of the Ladies of the Lake Quilters Guild .

Norma is survived by her children Donald (and wife Cindy), Wolfeboro, Mark (and wife Kelly), Wilmette, IL, and Kathleen Smith, Winslow, ME. In addition, she has 4 grandchildren Christopher Bickford, Epping, NH; Courtney (husband Gilberto) Alvarado, Naples FL; Kyle Smith, Winslow, ME, and Clark Bickford, Wilmette, IL, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her sisters Barbra Lemery, Wolfeboro, Nancy MacKay, Nashua, NH, and brothers Richard and Gerald Glidden both of Alton.

A graveside service will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Wolfeboro, June 15, 2018 at 11:00AM.

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