Norma Palandro Hammar Webb

Norma Palandro Hammar Webb

On May 30, 2018, a wonderful 92 year old woman, Norma Palandro Hammar Webb, left us here to go be with her other loved ones in heaven. She was surrounded by her children at the end as always in life. We know that as soon as she passed through those Pearly Gates, there was a little Italy established by her and we hope there are big kitchens so she can cook for everyone there.

Norma was born in Little Italy on December 29, 1925, a daughter of the late Felice and Francesca Sforza Palandro. This is where she began her love for her heritage.

She started at Columbus School, learned English and then came home and taught her parents. She graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1943 and then went on to St. Vincent School of Nursing, and after graduation worked at St. Vincent Hospital, and even taught "Nursing Arts" at the school.

In 1970 a terrible car accident derailed her nursing career. She lectured and then became the Northwestern PA Supervisor for Weight Watcher's International.

She spoke fluent Italian and often helped out as a translator in the community and at the hospital.

She was a member and Past President of the Italian-American Women's Association and was proud to have chaired many of their fundraising committees over the years. She was always quoted as saying, "I am a proud American who deeply appreciates my Italian heritage." She also co-authored a book titled "Italian Americans of Greater Erie."

Besides her parents, Norma was preceded in death by her first husband Robert L. Hammar and her second husband, William L. Webb and two sisters, Elvira Salvagnini and Amalia Schillinger.

She is survived by one daughter, Diane Will (Alan) of Erie; two sons, Richard G. Hammar (Bridget) of Erie and Robert L. Hammar (Janice), Lake City, PA; two step-children, Jonathan Webb and James M. Webb, Ph.D. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Alana Cummings (Justin), Laura Patterson, Sarah Saxon (Gavin), Jared Will (Erin), Rich Hammar (Brittany), Samantha Marcinko (Jeff), Bobby Hammar, and Michael Hammar ; Two great grandchildren Brandon Cummings and Aubrianna Hammar and several close nieces and nephews, David, Brian and Scott Schillinger and Mrs. Gayle Werner.

Friends may call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Monday from 3 to 6 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to a funeral service there on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart RC Church, 816 West 26th Street, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Elmwood Gardens and Great Lakes Hospice for all their wonderful care of Norma over the past year.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Italian American Women's Organization, P. O. Box 3649, Erie, PA 16508, for the Scholarship Fund.