It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Norma Dworetzky, age 89, on August 19, 2025 in White Plains, NY. Norma Chachkes was born June 24, 1936 in Yonkers, NY to Manny and Selma Chachkes, the youngest of four and affectionately known as “Baby Norma”, a family nickname that remained her whole life. She met Edward (Eddie) Dworetzky as a teenager; they married in August 1956. Norma graduated from Hunter College in 1957. Norma and Eddie raised their three children in Edgemont, NY.
Norma treasured her role as “Grandma Nor,” learning all of the children’s likes and dislikes and knitting all of them sweaters labeled “Made with Love by Grandma Nor.” After 56 years in Edgemont, Norma and Edward moved to a condominium in White Plains in 2020 when Eddie’s health declined; Norma managed the household and remained close to her children and grandchildren. She suffered a major stroke on July 9, 2025 and passed away on August 19, one day after the couple’s 69th wedding anniversary.
She is survived by her husband Edward, sisters Louise Davis and Florence Dworetzky (older brother Jack Chachkes passed away just six months prior), children Joel (m. Amy Lifshay), Barbara (m. Christopher Shanahan), and David (m. Allison Smith); and six grandchildren: Aaron and Eli Dworetzky, Benjamin, Peter and Rachel Shanahan, and Julia Dworetzky. Norma’s seventh grandchild Rebecca Dworetzky tragically predeceased her in 2019.
An avid pianist and reader, Norma loved travel, music, theater, art museums and The New York Botanical Garden. She enjoyed the daily New York Times crossword and Wordle, Mahjong with friends, and Scrabble with her grandchildren. Norma will be remembered for her devotion to family, her generosity and kindness to others, her sly wit and sharp intellect. Norma will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Condolence(1)-
Jane Best says
August 23, 2025 at 1:10 pmDearest Joel and Amy, Eddie, Barbara, David, and all of your children, I offer my condolences to you as you walk through this transition of no longer having Norma’s physical presence on this earth. Norma was always so kind and welcoming to me. This was so when I met her in my teens and continued up to my recent visit with her in 2022. With all my love and blessings, Jane Best (Helsel)