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Norrine Bailey Spencer

Norrine Spencer Obituary

Norrine Bailey Spencer, 62, associate provost and director of undergraduate admissions at Virginia Tech, died today after a long illness. Her husband, Tech associate vice president for student affairs Ed Spencer was with her. Among their many accomplishments, the couple had survived cancer together -- he prostate cancer and she breast cancer -- and this year walked the survivor lap at Tech's Relay For Life, Ed Spencer said. "She was a courageous, inspirational, phenomenal woman," her husband of 39 years said. Spencer beat breast cancer and spent eight years in remission, until 2006, when she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the liver and bones. Rather than give in, Spencer simply went on, taking chemotherapy, working and spending time with her family for more than three years, taking chemotherapy nearly all that time. "Her oncologist ... called her his 'miracle baby,'" Ed Spencer said. "She despised the term 'fighting' or 'battling' cancer. She said a fight or a battle was something you chose to get into, and I didn't choose this,'" Ed Spencer said. "She described it as 'the uninvited houseguest who never got the message to leave.'" The Spencers came to Blacksburg in 1983 after 12 years at the University of Delaware. Spencer did her Ph.D. at Tech. Her dissertation was named outstanding research of the year by the National Academic Advising Association. She went on to serve as associate dean of the Pamplin College of Business from 1983 to 2004. She retired as associate provost in 2006 on the advice of her doctor, Ed Spencer said, and took a new job: chauffeur for her grandchildren. Spencer planned her own funeral service, scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, and wrote her own obituary, posted today on the Virginia Tech Web site:

Published by Roanoke Times from Sep. 23 to Sep. 28, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Norrine Spencer

28 Entries

Melendez Byrd

November 15, 2010

When I came on a football visit in 1989, the genuineness of her smile is what helped me make my decision to attend VT. She was always an excellent advisor and role-model that I highly respected and admired. God truly has an angel by his side. Thank you for everything!

Nevin Kessler

September 29, 2009

Dear Ed,

Mary Lin and I were so sorry to hear about Norrine's passing. We will never forget the kindness that the two of you showed our young family when we arrived in Blacksburg in 1993. Norrine's sweet notes to Joe about the three cats (Butterball, Wooley, and I forget the third's name) made his face light up. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Denise Cocke

September 28, 2009

Dear Spencer Family,our daughter Sarah Cocke was a 2004 VT grad. She introduced me to Norrine on one of my visits to the campus, she was very sad to hear of her passing, and shared with me how much she had helped her during her years there. I held down 3 jobs so I could see my children get a college education, and I am so proud to be a HOKIE MOM.My thoughts and prayers go with you, as my husband is battling this disease also, Sarah and her father are very close, he dreamed about her before she was born.

Richard Locke

September 27, 2009

Didn't know you were dealing with these problems. I lost touch with both Norrine and Ed as the years went by but still fondly remember her spirit and compassion. I wish you well Ed.

Wallace Growney

September 26, 2009

Please accept my deepest sympathies. I have so many fond memories of Norrine...that first calculus class, math conferences, her helping clean my house before 25 Japanese students arrived for dinner, her phone call upon completion of last exam for Ph.D, our brief meeting last October for her 40th renunion, and many more.

All the best.

Susan Miller

September 26, 2009

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

September 26, 2009

Ed and family, I can't tell you how much Norrine and you meant to Dawn and me during my days as Commandant. She was such a wonderful, caring, first class lady. We all will miss her dearly, but we are so ernriched by having been in her presence. God Bless you all. Stan and Dawn Musser

Debi & Bill Hardee

September 26, 2009

Ed , Andy and Family

My heart is saddened by the recent news of Norrine's passing. It seems we have known each other for so long and what a great relationship we had. I know her great love for you Ed will keep your memories of her fresh and give you peace during this difficult time. Andy please know you were the apple of her eye she loved you so. My prayer for you all will be for God to put his arms around all of you and give you unending peace that surpresses all understanding.
I Love you
Debi & Bill Hardee

Mike Aronson

September 26, 2009

Ed and Family,
It was a great privilege and an honor to have known Norrine. A remarkable person, she carried her burden with exceptional strength, courage, spirit and grace. I will always be inspired by my memories of her. I offer my greatest sympathy for this tremendous loss you have suffered, and wish you peace and warmth.

Matt Sieber

September 25, 2009

Ed, Andy, and family,
Norrine was an amazing woman who accomplished more in her abbreviated lifetime than is normally undertaken by several people. You all made an incredible team that welcomed everyone and made everyone feel welcome. I will always think of Norrine and all of you when I see a bag of Hartley's!
I'm sorry for your loss. She will be missed by us all.

Melinda Vann

September 25, 2009

Ed and family,

With heartfelt sympathy for your deep loss - wishing you the comfort of friends and loved ones drawn near to you and peace in the days ahead.

Sandy Smith

September 25, 2009

With heartfelt sympathy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My everlasting memory of Norrine will be her heartwarming smile. She was truly a remarkable woman. May God's awesome love comfort you.

Gene and Mary Wilson

September 25, 2009

Ed and Family:
Dr. Norrine Bailey Spencer, your wife, mother, grandmother, and our dear friend, made a lasting difference in our lives because she passed this way. We have been blessed to have known Norrine for our time together at Virginia Tech and the 26 years in Blacksburg. March 19th will have a void as Norrine and Gene enjoyed sharing the same birthdate, but not birthyear. Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with you.

Janet Alderman

September 25, 2009

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Norrine was a wonderful boss and I really enjoyed working with her. God truly blessed us all when he let her come into our lives. She was a wonderful lady.

Sheila Norman

September 25, 2009

The Spencer Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. When I was a student at Tech, she was my advisor. She was the sweetest and most understanding person I knew while attending VT. May God give you all the strength and comfort you need to get through this difficult time.

Stan & Kathy Slingerland

September 24, 2009

Ed, Andy & Family,

Words can't express our sincere sorrow for the loss of Norrine. She was one of the most positive and interesting persons we've ever known. Her kindness to Brian and to our family will always be remembered and appreciated. Ed, your weekend with us in Syracuse and the Hokie victory at the Carrier Dome was special and will forever be one of our favorite memories of Norrine. We will miss her very much but thank God we had the pleasure of knowing her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless you all.

Nancy Waters

September 24, 2009

Dear Spencer Family, I was honored to know Norrine through my work at Heritage Hall when she was devoted to the care of her Mother. I appreciated her kindness for others.
With sympathy,

Dot Eaton

September 24, 2009

I was so sorry to hear of Dr. Spencer's passing. The short time I was in the College of Business, she was a joy to be around. I'm glad I got to know her. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Michael Hurd

September 24, 2009

Dr. Spencer,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family will be in our prayers.

Mike and Katy Hurd

Joel & Janet Donahue

September 24, 2009

Ed:
Janet and I send our condolences and especially our sympathies. We just attended my sister's funeral on Monday. She had fought breast cancer and its consequences for almost six years. After traveling with her in England with the Master Chorale in 2003, we truly came to appreciate Norrine's goodheartedness.

James Buffer

September 24, 2009

Ed,
Loretta and I were sorry to learn about Norrine's untimely death. She was passionate about her work in higher education and enjoyed sharing her time and talents with students and colleagues alike. She will be missed! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of your loss.

Laura Wedin

September 24, 2009

Ed - I am always remembering you and Norrine with your granddaughter at Gillie's on Sunday mornings. I remember Norrine telling me that you were such regulars that the wait staff knew what your order would be without asking! I was fortunate enough to have been seated with her at several VT events over the years. Everyone had such respect for her. A great loss for our community. My thoughts and prayers will be with you, Andrew, and family.

Ranjana Chachra

September 24, 2009

Ed, our thoughts and prayers are with you and family at this time of your great loss. Norrine was such a happy, charming lady who always wore a smile! We will miss her for her singing with the BMC and for all she did for our community.

Tina Pavlik

September 24, 2009

We lost a true lady today. Our hearts, minds, and prayers are with the family of this wonderful woman. It was a pleasure to know her.

Melissa Pilkington

September 24, 2009

I had the chance to talk with Mrs. Spencer just two times. She was so nice and encouraging. So sorry for your loss.
Melissa Pilkington

Betty Eaton

September 24, 2009

Ed, I am so very sorry to learn of your loss. Norrine was such a special person, and showed such kindness to me when I worked at Tech. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

September 24, 2009

Dear Ed and family members,
We join with countless others in expressing our sadness but celebrating the wonderful times we shared with Norrine. What a bright spirit even in the face of severe adversity..always thinking of others.. Such bravery in the face of illness. Virginia and Dick Bethune, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Betty Martin

September 24, 2009

I am so sorry for your loss. She was a remarkable woman and I was honored to work with her at Virginia Tech. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Betty Austin Martin

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