Norma H. McPhee
June 24, 1928 – August 8, 2026

Norma H. McPhee, 98, Hollidaysburg, passed away Saturday evening at the Winds at Mattern Orchard.
She was born in Dunkirk, NY, daughter of the late Walter Bruce and Hattie Calista (Holcomb) Howatt. On Jan. 5, 1951, she married Richard McPhee in Fredonia, NY. He preceded her in death Jan. 16, 2011.
She is survived by four children: Julia Benton (Rod) of Duncansville, Jonathan (Deborah) of Sudbury, MA, James of Erie, and Keith (Michele) of Jersey City, NJ; six grandchildren: Stacey Pugh (Ryan) of St. Petersburg, FL, Gillian Benton of Pittsburgh, Megan McPhee of Alexandria, VA, Kaitlin Herrington (Brian) of Clinton, NY, James McPhee, Jr. of Erie, and Jordan McPhee of Jersey City, NJ; and a sister, Lois Fargo of Rochester, NY.
Norma received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and had a Graduate 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 over 50 photo essays, short stories, and plays to various publishers.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hollidaysburg and the 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. on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Plank, Stitt & Stevens Funeral Home, 421 Montgomery St., Hollidaysburg.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church of Hollidaysburg with 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, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607
Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.