Norma Louise Kofahl Higham died peacefully and surrounded by her three loving children and longtime partner on June 22, a beautiful first full day of summer, at her home in Amherst. She was 84.

She was born in Bronx, N.Y. on July 22, 1938. As a young child she moved to Riverside, R.I., where she attended elementary and high school. From her small town roots, she ended up living an international expatriate life that took her around the globe.

Norma married her former husband, Edward Higham of Boston, in 1957. During the next three decades his military service, education and career took them to Long Beach, Calif., Argentina (twice), Cambridge, Akron, Ohio, England, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico (also twice), Colombia and Japan. She thoroughly enjoyed the travel and adventures she experienced and the lifelong friendships she developed.

In the early 1970s Norma, Ed and their family began visiting Martha’s Vineyard during summer vacations. They purchased a home in West Tisbury in 1977. They began to spend every summer on the Vineyard, regardless of where they were living in the world during the rest of the year. In many respects the Vineyard became Norma’s true home — a consistent place she forever loved for its beauty, long days at the beach, clambakes and cook-outs with family and friends.

After Norma and Ed amicably divorced in 1992, Norma moved to Westfield and earned her undergraduate degree from Westfield State College. She was proud to be the oldest student in the class. After graduating she moved to Amherst, working for a time at Amherst College and caring for infants of people who were to become among her dearest of friends.

It was around this time that her high school sweetheart and Senior Prom date Wil Poliquin, himself also recently divorced, came back into her life. They rekindled and grew a beautiful romance that lasted for the next 32 years. Norma and Wil spent countless great times together in Amherst, Martha’s Vineyard and Rhode Island. They also traveled extensively together for as long as health permitted.

She was an exceptionally loving daughter, mother, partner, wife, grandmother and friend, connecting easily with people of all ages and walks of life. She loved people and often maintained friendships long after having moved away from the place where she first met them. Her deep connection with people was evident in the steady stream of visitors who came to see to her up until her last day.

Norma leaves her life partner, Wil Poliquin of Smithfield, R.I.; three children, daughter Lisa Lauziere and son in law Stephen Lauziere of Lebanon, N.H., son Ed Higham Jr. and daughter in law Jean Tostanoski of Armonk, N.Y., and son David Higham and daughter in law Tina Furcolo of Amherst; six grandchildren, Devon Higham, Kyra Higham, Brendan Higham, Joseph Lauziere, Sophie Higham and Zola Higham; her ex-husband Edward Higham Sr. of West Tisbury; and her brother Robert Kofahl and sister in law Maryanne Kofahl of Leesburg, Fla.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at South Congregational Church in Amherst. For details please contact 646-468-1528.

Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst.