Norma Jennings Baird died on August 17 surrounded by family at her Southampton home, after a short illness. She was 85.
Born at her family’s Water Mill home on June 22, 1923, she was one of two daughters of Laura Whitman and A. Arlton Jennings. After graduating from Southampton High School, she attended Elon College in North Carolina.
She married Benjamin Baird on November 20, 1948, in Southampton.
A lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Southampton, she was a founding member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a former member of the Women’s Community Bowling League as part of the Polish Hall team. A bookkeeper at John Duck Jr. Restaurant for more than 20 years until her retirement, she became a well-known fixture at the establishment.
She is survived by a son, Arlton Baird and his wife Deborah of Southampton; three daughters, Norena Baird of Southampton, Musette and her husband Nelson Cause of Southampton, and Anita and her husband Paul Ware of Florida; a brother-in-law, Fred Hauquitz of Southampton; five grandchildren, Kyle and Brian Cause of Southampton, Anne Visakowitz of Southampton, and Julia and Jennifer Ware of Florida; a great-grandson, Robert Visakowitz; and nine nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, and a sister, Elva Hauquitz.
The family received friends on August 19 at Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral service was held August 20, also at Brockett, with the Reverend Bill Evans officiating. Interment was at Flying Point Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dominican Sisters Family Health Services, P.O. Box 1028, Hampton Bays, NY would be appreciated by the family.
on Aug 20, 2008