Norma M. Reid

Our beloved mother, Norma Matthews Reid, age 93, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, January 26, 2024.

Norma was born in Camden, New Jersey and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Olney High School where she met her husband-to-be (and our father), Charles H. Reid (Charlie), while performing the lead roles in “The Pirates of Penzance.” Their marriage of 58 years overflowed with their love of music.

Soon after they married they moved to Wilmington, Delaware where she became a standout soprano with the Wilmington Opera Society. She performed the leads in numerous productions, including the starring role of “Mimi” in Puccini’s “La Boheme.”

Norma was also the soprano soloist in several Wilmington churches where Dad was organist and choirmaster, including Hanover Presbyterian Church and Trinity Episcopal Church. She also sang in numerous other Delaware choral groups, including the Blue Rock Chorus and the Northern Delaware Oratorio Society. She also directed the “Trinity Tintinnabulators” bell choir. Even with her music career, she also found time to work as a teller at the Bank of Delaware.

Norma is survived by three sons, Charles H. Reid, Jr. (Chip), a TV journalist and author in Washington, DC; Dr. Bruce Reid, an optometrist in Atlanta, Georgia; Dr. Chris Reid, a neurologist in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; her son-in-law Christopher Curtin, an attorney in Wilmington; eight grandchildren; and one great grandchild. Sadly, her daughter Bonnie and one grandchild, Laura, predeceased her.

There will be a private family ceremony this summer when Mom’s and Dad’s ashes will be scattered in the ocean off of Ocean City, NJ, where our family spent many happy summer vacations.

It is requested that memorial contributions be sent in care of the Music Ministry at Hanover Presbyterian Church, 1801 Jefferson St., Wilmington, DE 19802.