- March 5, 2025
Norma Simpson (Griffith) MacDonald, 97, a member of the Greatest Generation, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Norma was a well-known, long time resident of Ormond Beach and the beloved matriarch of the Simpson/Griffith/ MacDonald families of Ormond Beach. She was a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a golfer, a tennis player, and a bridge player, but above all Norma was a devout Episcopalian and servant of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
She was born Norma Mary Simpson on September 24, 1927 in Buffalo, NY, the fourth child of Clarence and Letha Simpson. The family moved to Daytona Beach in 1934 where her father opened a real estate business on Bay Street. Norma attended North Ridgewood Grammar School and Mainland High School. As a teenager during WWII she served as a USO driver and a Coast Watcher. In 1945 she graduated from high school and went on to attend Stratford College in Danville, VA.
In 1947 Norma married Robert (Bob) Merriam Griffith of Daytona Beach who had served in the Pacific in WWII as a Weather Officer in the Army Air Corps. Together they had three children, Edward (Ned), Ann (died at birth) and Alicia. Bob died unexpectedly in 1954. Norma was introduced by family and friends to Frank MacDonald the owner and host of Billy’s Tap Room one of the most popular restaurants and watering holes in Ormond Beach and they were married in 1956. They were the first couple married in Our Lady of Lourdes, added four more members to the family, Michael, Patrick, Timothy, and Thomas and were together for 55 years until Frank’s passing in 2011.
Throughout her life Norma was guided by her faith. She was a member of St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Daytona Beach and its mission, St James Episcopal Church in Ormond Beach for over 75 years. In that time she served the church in many ways: for 15 years she was Directress of the Altar Guild, she sang in the choir, she served on the Vestry, and was facilitator for Tuesday Bible Study for 20 years. In addition to her church service, Norma also served her community. She was a Charter Member of the Adventist Memorial Hospital (originally Ormond Memorial Hospital) Auxiliary and served for more than 50 years, receiving the 50 Year Service Award. In addition, as an active golf and tennis player at Oceanside Country Club, Norma served as President of the 18 Hole Club and was twice Chairman of the Sally Golf Tournament.
A visitation will be held 4:00pm-6:00pm Friday, March 7, 2025 at Baldwin Brothers Ormond Beach Chapel, 1185 W. Granada Blvd. #11, Ormond Beach, FL 32174. The funeral service will be held at 11:00am Saturday, March 8, 2025 at St. James Episcopal Church, Ormond Beach and will be followed by graveside services at Hillside Cemetery, 143 Seton Trail, Ormond Beach. Donations may be made to the Endowment Fund, St James Episcopal Church, 44 S Halifax Dr., Ormond Beach, FL 32176
