Elizabeth “Betty” Nordman died on August 30 at her home in Speonk. She was 83. Born on May 7, 1933, in Boston, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of James and Marguerite Gallagher. In 1955 she married Herman “Hank” Nordman. Together with their five children, they settled in Speonk. She started her career at the Department Of Motor Vehicles when her youngest child entered school, and quickly became a “best friend” to every teenager about to get a driver’s license. After 10 years at the DMV, she transferred to the County Clerk’s office, and through hard work and determination, she rose to become an administrator. She retired in 1997.
Although immensely proud of her professional success, she was most proud of her ever-growing family, and took great pleasure in being surrounded by them, survivors said. Her happiest times were when she had a baby on her lap and two or three children at her knee.
Ms. Nordman was predeceased by her husband; two brothers, Richard Gallagher and Gerald Gallagher; and a sister, Dorothy Howland. She is survived by a brother, James Gallagher; a sister, Patricia Mazurek; five children, JoAnne Zoller, Lynn Stevens, Robert Nordman, Pamela Hubbard and Richard Nordman; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Follett and Werner Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach.
Memorial donations may be made to the Eastport Fire Department, Box 158, Eastport, NY 11941.