Norma Jablonski

Norma Nicholson Jablonski, 75, of Christiansburg, passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2012 after a prolonged illness.

A graduate of the Wilmington General Hospital class of 1958, Norma had a long career as a Registered Nurse, providing care for hundreds of patients and training many classes of Certified Nursing Assistants. She worked in a range of health care facilities in several states, including Wilmington General Hospital, the psychiatric section of the Philadelphia General Hospital, the psychiatric department of the Latter-day Saints Hospital in Salt Lake City, a private physician’s practice in Salt Lake City, the Princeton Hospital in New Jersey, a home health care company in the New River Valley and Meadowbrook Nursing Home in Shawsville, where she cared for patients and trained CNAs. She was known for her high level of professionalism and knowledge and valued for genuine interest in her patients and CNA students.

More important, Norma was a vibrant, witty, loving wife and mother. She and her husband, Henry, who were married 53 years at the time of her passing, enjoyed exploring the many states and cities where they lived and making new friends in each location. Natives of Wilmington, Delaware, they were married in Salt Lake City and embraced its rich arts scene during their time there. Later, when children Neil and Jennifer were born, Norma took time off from work to raise them. Their time as children was marked by fun cultural and educational exploration that she led, such as taking them to rehearsals of Virginia Tech’s marching bands, to Virginia Tech’s Duck Pond and to educational programs and camps.

Norma was an intelligent lifetime student who loved learning and attending cultural events. Her eclectic, wide range of knowledge and sharp memory allowed her to do things such as identify music composers and performers from a variety of genres just seconds into hearing a recording. She savored the experiences of hearing Miles Davis and Igor Stravinsky perform live, and she was a regular attendee of Philadelphia Orchestra concerts during her time in nursing school. She was an avid reader who visited the library regularly and read about 5 books a week. Often she read while others watched TV. She especially enjoyed reading books about the history and culture of the South and found joy in visiting historic homes, museums, and historic sites with Henry.

Norma and Henry visited many beaches on both coasts of the U.S., and she thrived in the relaxed atmosphere. The family spent Thanksgivings in Myrtle Beach for many years, and Norma loved walking on the Grand Strand, feeding the seagulls and spending lazy evenings eating seafood and enjoying life with her family. Back home in Virginia, she liked to listen to beach music to summon happy memories of the family’s beach visits.

Norma was passionate about helping others and spent many hours engaged in volunteer work. For many years, Norma volunteered as a RN for the American Red Cross and the New River Free Clinic. She also volunteered for the Montgomery Christmas Store and the Girl Scouts of the USA.

The family is grateful for the special people who helped Norma and the family throughout her illness. Thank you to Dr. Richard Shepherd and Nurse Practitioner Cristina Whitaker of Carilion Clinic Family Medicine in Blacksburg and to Dr. Zev Elias, Carilion Clinic Neurosurgery Team. The family extends its gratitude to the all of Carilion Hospice employees who worked to coordinate Norma’s care, as they were invaluable to her and the family in the last phase of her life. Thank you to Brenda, Fran and Dina at Home Instead Senior Care for their kindness and help. The family also appreciates the love of and support from their friends and family during a difficult time.

Norma was preceded in death by her grandmother, Rebecca Rosenberg of Wilmington, DE; mother, Florence Rosen Nicholson of Wilmington, DE; uncles, David Rosen, Joseph Rosen, Benjamin Rosen, all of Wilmington, DE, and Albert Rosen of Cornwell Heights, PA; cousins, Albert Rosen (son of Benjamin) of Wilmington, DE, and Albert Rosen (son of Albert), of Berkeley, CA. She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Henry Jablonski; son, Neil Jablonski and wife Dianna of Spotsylvania; daughter, Jennifer Jablonski of Columbia, SC; and cousins, James D. Rosen of Rochester, MI, Howard Rosen of The Villages, FL, Jerry Rosen of Colorado Springs, CO, Barbara Magrie of Berkeley, CA, and Julie Rosen Rigby of Seaford, DE.

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 31, 2012, from 5-8 p.m. at Horne Funeral Home. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 1 at 2 p.m. in the Horne Funeral Home Chapel, with David A. Kent, Carilion Hospice Chaplain, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Norma’s memory to the following organizations: Carilion Clinic Hospice, 707 Randolph St., Suite 251, Radford, VA 24141, Christiansburg Rescue Squad, 110 East Main Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073 or to the Humane Society of Montgomery County, 1183 Flanagan Drive, Christiansburg, VA 24073.