Norma D. MacMillan

Norma Doray MacMillan died quietly in her sleep at The Grand Memory Care facility in Prospect on July 14, 2025. Norma was preceded in death by her loving husband Duncan MacMillan, her brothers Johnny and Victor (Buddy) Doray, her sister Nancy Doray and her nephew Garrett. She is survived by her brother Leonard (Debbie), her children David (Suzette), Brenda (Chuck), Dan (Nancy) and Andrew (Laure), her grandchildren Erin, Abbey, Andie, Henry, Campbell, Kell, Adrian, Clarisse and Devin, and her nieces and nephews Linda, Leanne, Kathy, Nadia, Gene and Jason.

Norma was born and raised in Montreal Canada. She was the third of five children to Leland Edward Doray and Kathleen Monaghan Doray. She absolutely adored her brothers and sister and the strong loving bond between them lasted throughout her life. She studied Physical Therapy at the University of Montreal and worked as a physical therapist at Montreal General Hospital. It was there that she met her future husband Duncan who was working as a resident in pediatrics. An attractive young lady, she had a memorable conversation with Prince Phillip of England, during a royal visit to the hospital, and somehow found Duncan more enamoring than a young William Shatner with whom she had previously gone on a double date!

After marrying, the couple moved to Birmingham UK where Duncan pursued a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology, and her first two children were born. Following completion of the fellowship the couple moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where her second two children were born. Ultimately the couple moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where they settled and raised their family.

In addition to raising her four children Norma also worked as a physical therapist at Kosair Hospital for Crippled Children and the Cerebral Palsy School of Louisville. She could not have been more dedicated to the children of those facilities. Despite the challenging work, she remained tirelessly focused on improving the quality of life of her young patients. Norma somehow accomplished the impossible, in successfully raising four children while working full time, providing care to disabled children. Although it was not apparent at the time the strain of doing the impossible almost certainly took its toll and it is fair to say that Norma gave the best years of her life in care for her family, and in service to disabled children.

Norma was known for her quick wit, infectious laugh, creative spirit and love for family. She loved music and dabbled with pottery, painting and bird watching. Later in life she became a fierce advocate for a variety of environmental causes. She enjoyed spending time with friends and memorably held court at the old Normandy Inn back in the day. She very much missed her family in Canada , and treasured their frequent visits to Louisville. She also enjoyed traveling to Canada to visit her brothers and sister in Vancouver and Montreal. For many years, when her children were young, the whole family would gather at Christmas at the Doray family homestead at 6865 Terrebonne St. in Montreal. Norma also adored her grandchildren and nothing made her happier than a house full of grandkids enjoying the family pool. According to her grandchildren no one was better at reading a book to them than Grammy!

Although the onset of dementia robbed Norma and her family of similar pleasant and valuable memories late in life, she leaves behind an unforgettable legacy for her family and those that knew her. That legacy is the reminder that the only thing more valuable than a humble life well lived in the service of others, is a life well lived in the service of building a family bond that lasts forever.

The MacMillan family is very grateful to the staff at the Grand Memory Care Unit in Prospect for the excellent care they provided to Norma.

A private, family ceremony is to be held at Cave Hill Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy can be made in the form of donations to the Arbor Day Foundation or to Locust Grove.

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