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Norma H. McPhee, 98, Hollidaysburg, passed away Saturday evening at the Winds at Mattern Orchard.
She was born in Dunkirk, N.Y., daughter of the late Walter Bruce and Hattie Calista (Holcomb) Howatt. On Jan. 5, 1951, she married Richard McPhee in Fredonia, N.Y. He preceded her in death Jan. 16, 2011.
She is survived by four children: Julia Benton (Rod) of Duncansville, Jonathan (Deborah) of Sudbury, Mass., James of Erie and Keith (Michele) of Jersey City, N.J.; six grandchildren: Stacey Pugh (Ryan) of St. Petersburg, Fla., Gillian Benton of Pittsburgh, Megan McPhee of Alexandria, Va., Kaitlin Herrington (Brian) of Clinton, N.Y., James McPhee Jr. of Erie and Jordan McPhee of Jersey City, N.J.; and a sister, Lois Fargo of Rochester, N.Y.
Norma received a Bachelor of Science in music education and had a graduate degree in music therapy and music education. She was an elementary music teacher, minister of music and choir director, a freelance writer and a military spouse and mother.
With the birth of her first grandson, who was born with cerebral palsy, she became "Nan," and began writing stories for children with disabilities under the pseudonym Nan Holcomb. When she realized how difficult it was to find publishers in this field, she became the founder and executive officer of Jason and Nordic Publishers, Hollidaysburg. She also wrote for adults and was the contributor of more than 50 photo essays, short stories, and plays to various publishers.
She was a member of First Baptist Church of Hollidaysburg and First Presbyterian Church of Hollidaysburg -- where she taught Sunday school -- many choirs and orchestras throughout the area, the Authors Guild, Authors League of America and the American Association for University Women.
Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at Plank, Stitt & Stevens Funeral Home, 421 Montgomery St., Hollidaysburg. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church of Hollidaysburg, Pastor Douglas McGaffin officiating. Interment will be at Alto-Reste Park.
The family requests that donations in memory of Norma be made to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.
Condolences may be made at stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or on the Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook page.