Norma Frances (Hazard) McClement

The funeral service for Norma McClement to view from First Church in Albany, January 4, 2024.

Rensselaer – Norma F. McClement, 94, died Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of the late Edgar Hazard and Estella (Chester) Abare, and the beloved wife of the late Robert J. McClement.

Norma was born and raised in Saratoga Springs. She was a 1946 graduate of South Glens Falls High School and Mildred Elley. After graduating, Norma worked at Skidmore College. She moved to the Albany, NY area at age 20, eventually settling in Rensselaer, NY. She was very active in Rensselaer politics and ran for office. A frequent Red Cross volunteer, she was named head of the local blood drive in 1960. She worked at Albany Hardware until its closure. Later she worked as head stenographer for Greyhound Bus Lines where she met her future husband Robert. Long after her retirement from Greyhound, she would speak fondly of those she had worked with. Norma’s love for children led her and her husband to become foster parents, taking in over 40 youths through the years. On many occasions, Norma and Robert were honored by Rensselaer County for their foster care work. 

Norma was an active member of the First Church in Albany for nearly 60 years. She was a Sunday school teacher for over 50 years. She was a member of First Church’s consistory board as both elder and deacon, a member of its Kate Allard and Weathervanes groups, and chair of its Servants in Training program. The Church honored her various contributions by making her a recipient of its Silver Rooster award, a gift which she cherished. Norma assisted in First Church’s nursery program for many years as well. To the children, she was known as “Grandma Norma.”

Norma loved God, poetry, and her family. She felt that she had overcome difficult times only due to her deep faith. She would often write poems for the Church and as gifts for her friends. But she would also write them as a means of documenting her life and insights. Her family was essential to her. She never ceased in acting on their behalf and guiding them. Reflecting upon her life, she would finally say “its been a long, long journey.”

She is survived by her children, Frank E. Jeffries, Jonathan (Jill) McClement, Marian Goca, Shaun McClement, and Tina McClement; a brother C. Alvin (Kim) Abare; a sister, Estella Joyce (Harold) Washburn; a sister-in-law, Pamela Abare; her grandchildren, Joelson, Morganne, Jonathan Jr., Brianna, and Sophia as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Donald and Robert Abare.

Relatives and friends may call at the First Church in Albany 110 North Pearl Street Albany on Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM with a funeral service to follow at 10:30 AM.

Interment will be in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery Schuylerville at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Norma McClement to the First Church in Albany 110 North Pearl Street Albany, NY 12207.

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