Norma Jean McNelly - Cremation Society of Virginia

Norma Jean McNelly

January 26, 1942 - March 11, 2025

Norma Jean McNelly, 83, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died peacefully on March 11, 2025, surrounded by her family. Born January 26,1942 to Norman and Mildred Keller, Norma was raised in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. She graduated from McKeesport Hospital School of Nursing and became a licensed Registered Nurse. During her studies, she met her future husband, Kenneth Wayne McNelly. They married in 1963 and settled in the Tidewater area.

Norma’s nursing career spanned 45 years. She spent 20 years as a nurse anesthetist for Dr. DiCiero before joining Sentara Norfolk Diagnostic Center, where she practiced nursing in an office setting and later advanced into management. She had a heart for nursing and cared deeply for her patients. Upon receiving Sentara’s Nursing Excellence Award, it was noted that ‘Norma is our Florence Nightingale.’

Norma’s greatest love was for the Lord, and she was active member of Christ United Methodist Church in Norfolk, followed by Thalia United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach. She was a dedicated volunteer at church, serving as Sunday School teacher and Office Angel, and at Malibu Elementary School where she was a Lunch Buddy. Norma’s quiet ways and natural warmth drew people in. In her later years, after moving into Our Lady of Perpetual Help, she earned the affectionate nickname, Our Norma. Above all, her greatest joy came from her family, especially her grandchildren. She will always be their beloved Meema and Grandma.

Norma is predeceased by her parents, Norman and Mildred Keller, her husband of 61 years, Ken, and her brother-in-law, Gerry. She is survived by her children Tim (Kathy), Nancy (Brian) and Susan (Mark), her grandchildren Brianna (Colin), Olivia, Jacob, Kane, Cole, Ian and Lily, and her sister-in-law, Hazel (George). Norma is also survived by her treasured childhood friend, Ann.

A funeral service will be held at Thalia United Methodist Church, 4321 Virginia Beach Blvd., on May 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM with inurnment at the church’s columbarium. Donations may be made to Thalia United Methodist Church, www.thaliaumc.org. Online condolences may be expressed at www.vacremationsociety.com.

The McNelly Family extends a warm thank you to the staff at Our Lady of Perpetual Help for their kindness, loving care and friendship. They treated our mom with great dignity and respect, truly embodying the spirit of God. Our family is forever grateful.

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My deepest condolences to you on loss of your mom! Norma was truly a special person who I had the privilege to know and work with! I will be flying to Minneapolis on Wednesday, so I will be unable to attend her services. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time!

Words cannot convey how deeply my beautiful life long friendship with my best childhood friend impacted my life. Norma and I grew up a few doors away from each other so spent just about every day together during our school years. We were part of each other's families. We were as close as the closest sisters, and even when miles separated us, we shared all of our life experiences always, the joys and the sorrows. Our letters to each other were pages and pages long. We were each other's trusted confidants, turning always to each other when we needed a sounding board, each other's advice and help. We laughed a lot, didn't take much, maybe a look was the trigger to hysterical laughter. And we cried together too. We shared all of our life events; the births of our children, losses, weddings, vacations, visits and so much more. We loved shopping together, often getting matching outfits. Norma was a role model of a loving, caring, good, vastly kind and compassionate human being. Her strong faith was at the core of her humble soul. A big part of me has left with Norma's passing. I miss her terribly. My deepest sympathy and love go out to Norma's wonderful children, Tim, Nancy and Susan. I'm so grateful to Nancy for her kind friendship, especially during this past year. And along with the great sadness in my heart, I must remember to count myself so very fortunate and blessed to have had you, my Norma, as my lifelong cherished friend. May peace be yours forever....

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.