Obituary for Norma Wilburn Aliff (Wilburn)
Norma Wilburn Aliff, also affectionately known as “Gambi”, ascended to Glory on Monday, November 17th, 2014.
She fought the good fight, but the battle with cancer overcame her twelve days before her 91th birthday. Norma worked in food service for Roanoke County School Administration and was in her element when in the kitchen. Family and friends knew her as a fabulous baker of delicious cakes and confections. She had a flair for floral arrangement and was particularly fond of Christmas decorating. Many years ago she was active in the Roanoke Valley Garden Club. Norma delighted in being involved with P.T.A. and was a devoted “dance mom” at Miss Mona’s School of Dance and Voice. Many years ago she was active in the LDS church and has dear friends there who still care for her. In recent years she enjoyed attending Fellowship Community Church events and Women’s life group with her daughter. Even in elder years she was still young at heart!
Family meant everything to her and her heart was brimming with any chance to be kind, joyful, and playful. Her laughter was contagious. She adored interacting with children and loved little animals with her last pet Yorkshire terrier, Toby, who awaits her arrival at the “Rainbow Bridge”. Her deep caring concern for others will be greatly missed by all her family that she cherished.
Norma had sensitivity toward children who are hurting. She gave support regularly to the Boy’s Town charity as well as St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Support for these charities will be continued in her honor.
Preceded in her death are her husband of 54 years, WWII veteran Ward Insley Aliff, an engineer with the N&W and NS Railroad; mother, Lyndell Mae Harris Wilburn; father, Claude Benjamin Wilburn; brothers, Donald, Jesse, Bill, and Wade Lane Wilburn. Also preceding were Claude “Junior” and Judy Carol Wilburn.
Surviving are her daughter, former Miss Virginia, Lisa Aliff Greenleaf and son-in-law, Todd Greenleaf; sisters, Patsy Caldwell, Jane Wilburn, and Ruth Wilburn; brother, Bobby Wilburn; and many, many loving nieces and nephews. Her grandson, Langley Hunter Hawkins was the light of her life. He is engaged to Molly Satterfield.
The family would like to express deep gratitude to the entire team of health care providers at KISSITO PACE of Roanoke (expressly, Traci Davis, Kathy Saunders, Emily Kennedy, Joe Meador, Rob Almond, Eric, Paula, Barbara, Susan, Shannon, April, Aundrea, and Joyce. Also endearing appreciation goes to R.N.s Melissa Garret, the two Kellies, and Dr. Salama of PACE.
To GENTLE SHEPHERD HOSPICE, there aren’t enough words to express the families’ appreciation. Particularly capable and comforting were Joanna, Missy, and Kim. GENTLE SHEPHERD made the passaged especially spiritual and soul soothing. Thoughts of appreciation also go out to Lauren and Tensley Boswell, Greta Maudlin, as well as, Val and Cady Garst for their uplifting visits in the last days.
In lieu of flowers, Norma would like donations to go to the Susan B. Komen Foundation to support research and a cure. It was 15 years she had been a survivor due to the aggressive, lifesaving treatment made available through this research. Donations may also go to FELLOWSHIP COMMUNITY CHURCH which provides our family with continued spiritual strength and guidance (go to fcclife.org for more information).
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 21, 2014 from 6 until 8 p.m. at John M. Oakey &Son Funeral Home in Salem. A celebration of Gambi’s life will be conducted on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Fellowship Community Church, also in Salem. A guestbook is available by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
She fought the good fight, but the battle with cancer overcame her twelve days before her 91th birthday. Norma worked in food service for Roanoke County School Administration and was in her element when in the kitchen. Family and friends knew her as a fabulous baker of delicious cakes and confections. She had a flair for floral arrangement and was particularly fond of Christmas decorating. Many years ago she was active in the Roanoke Valley Garden Club. Norma delighted in being involved with P.T.A. and was a devoted “dance mom” at Miss Mona’s School of Dance and Voice. Many years ago she was active in the LDS church and has dear friends there who still care for her. In recent years she enjoyed attending Fellowship Community Church events and Women’s life group with her daughter. Even in elder years she was still young at heart!
Family meant everything to her and her heart was brimming with any chance to be kind, joyful, and playful. Her laughter was contagious. She adored interacting with children and loved little animals with her last pet Yorkshire terrier, Toby, who awaits her arrival at the “Rainbow Bridge”. Her deep caring concern for others will be greatly missed by all her family that she cherished.
Norma had sensitivity toward children who are hurting. She gave support regularly to the Boy’s Town charity as well as St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Support for these charities will be continued in her honor.
Preceded in her death are her husband of 54 years, WWII veteran Ward Insley Aliff, an engineer with the N&W and NS Railroad; mother, Lyndell Mae Harris Wilburn; father, Claude Benjamin Wilburn; brothers, Donald, Jesse, Bill, and Wade Lane Wilburn. Also preceding were Claude “Junior” and Judy Carol Wilburn.
Surviving are her daughter, former Miss Virginia, Lisa Aliff Greenleaf and son-in-law, Todd Greenleaf; sisters, Patsy Caldwell, Jane Wilburn, and Ruth Wilburn; brother, Bobby Wilburn; and many, many loving nieces and nephews. Her grandson, Langley Hunter Hawkins was the light of her life. He is engaged to Molly Satterfield.
The family would like to express deep gratitude to the entire team of health care providers at KISSITO PACE of Roanoke (expressly, Traci Davis, Kathy Saunders, Emily Kennedy, Joe Meador, Rob Almond, Eric, Paula, Barbara, Susan, Shannon, April, Aundrea, and Joyce. Also endearing appreciation goes to R.N.s Melissa Garret, the two Kellies, and Dr. Salama of PACE.
To GENTLE SHEPHERD HOSPICE, there aren’t enough words to express the families’ appreciation. Particularly capable and comforting were Joanna, Missy, and Kim. GENTLE SHEPHERD made the passaged especially spiritual and soul soothing. Thoughts of appreciation also go out to Lauren and Tensley Boswell, Greta Maudlin, as well as, Val and Cady Garst for their uplifting visits in the last days.
In lieu of flowers, Norma would like donations to go to the Susan B. Komen Foundation to support research and a cure. It was 15 years she had been a survivor due to the aggressive, lifesaving treatment made available through this research. Donations may also go to FELLOWSHIP COMMUNITY CHURCH which provides our family with continued spiritual strength and guidance (go to fcclife.org for more information).
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 21, 2014 from 6 until 8 p.m. at John M. Oakey &Son Funeral Home in Salem. A celebration of Gambi’s life will be conducted on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Fellowship Community Church, also in Salem. A guestbook is available by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
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