Norma Lee (Grupe) Burton

Norma Lee Burton, 97, of Cambridge passed away at UMSMC in Easton on November 8, 2022, with family and friends present day and night throughout her final week.  She was born in Cambridge on July 3, 1925, and was a daughter of the late Lena Weber and Rudolph (Ralph) Grupe.

Norma attended schools in Dorchester County and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1942.  She worked for Baltimore Life Insurance Company and the Cambridge Manufacturing Company, and joined Cambridge Gas Company in 1949.  On March 17, 1950, she married Edward Cluff Burton, Jr.  In 1972, she rejoined Cambridge Gas Company when her children left home, and retired in 1986, when her family sold the company to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation.

Norma and Ed shared many happy years of retirement together and in 2010 began living with their daughter Cassie Burton, who retired in Cambridge.  Ed died in 2017, after 67 years of marriage.  Norma continued to live with Cassie until her recent illness.  Norma was also lovingly cared for by her daughter Connie, who moved to Cambridge during the pandemic, and her current and former caregivers and friends, Mary Griffin, India Thomas and Sarah Jackson.

Norma was a lifelong member of Immanuel United Church of Christ, where she was a member of Women’s Guild and Altar Guild for many years.  She was also a member of the Dorchester Historical Society and the Women’s Auxiliary of Dorchester General Hospital.  Norma had a number of interests over the years, most predominately family, volunteering, foreign travel, antiques, and gardening.  After her retirement, she volunteered at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, with her husband, sisters and her good friend Merilyn Cusick.

Survivors include her three daughters, Constance “Connie” Burton of Cambridge/Easton, Dr. Catherine “Cassie” Burton of Cambridge, and Karen Burton McDaniel of Durham, NC.  She is also survived by one grandson, Matthew Cluff McDaniel of Durham, NC; two great-grandchildren Savannah McDaniel and Turner McDaniel; her good friend Dr. Don Harmon; and her beloved nieces and nephews:   Harriet Kincaid Leap, Pat Favinger Parks, JoAnn Marine King, Joe Kincaid, Susan Kincaid Coleca, Dennis Marine, Melinda Favinger Ewing, Cynthia Burton Phillips. Robert Burton, and David Burton.  In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by one grandson, Ross Edward McDaniel; one son-in-law, Jerry Sailer; and three sisters, Helen Grupe Kincaid, Doris Grupe Favinger and Carolyn Grupe Marine.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 18th at 1:00 pm at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Cambridge with the Rev.  Dale Krotee officiating.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm preceding the service.  Interment will take place privately at the Old Trinity Cemetery, Church Creek.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Immanuel United Church of Christ, 5401 Whitehall Road, Cambridge, Maryland 21613; or Talbot Hospice, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, Maryland 21601. Arrangements are in the care of the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.