Norrine Bailey Spencer

Norrine Bailey Spencer, 62, of Blacksburg, Va., died peacefully on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at her home in Blacksburg with her husband at her side. Norrine was born March 19, 1947 in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Harry J. Bailey and the late Ruth Norrine Phenicie Bailey. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Edward F. D. Spencer; their son Andrew, his wife Melanie, and her two beloved grandchildren, Courtney and Brandon, all of Blacksburg. Ms. Spencer graduated with high honors from Susquehanna University, earned her masters degree at Syracuse University and her doctorate from Virginia Tech. Her dissertation was named outstanding research of the year by the National Academic Advising Association. She worked at the University of Delaware from 1970 through 1982 and at Virginia Tech from 1983 until 2008, as Associate Dean of the Pamplin College of Business through 2004 and then as Associate Provost and Director of Undergraduate Admissions. Her university service included two terms as chair of the Commission on Administrative and Professional Faculty Affairs, chair of the University Appeals Committee, and secretary of the University Athletic Committee. In 2007, she was one of six university administrators and faculty recipients of the Advancing Women Award. In 2009 the Pamplin College of Business awarded her a Certificate of Excellence for Lifetime Achievement in Diversity. Upon her retirement in 2008, she was awarded Emerita status by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
A member of Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, she was on the Session and taught Sunday School. She also chaired the Cooper House Ministry Board for two years. She sang with the Blacksburg Master Chorale since 1988, served as co-president for two years, and participated in all three European tours. She also served her alma mater as co-chair of the alumni fund and alumni member of the Board of Trustees. She was also a member of the Board of Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge and served as its president in 2006. From 1985 until her retirement, Norrine was a member of the Virginia Board of the American Council on Education Network for Women Leaders, serving as chair for two years. That group honored her in 2008 with a named scholarship for their Leadership Seminar Series.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow in the Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to a favorite charity or university in her memory.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Harry McCoy, Ms. Connie Pennington, and Ms. Jan Wilcke of Blue Ridge Cancer Care, Dr. Michael Aronson, and the Carilion Clinic Hospice of the New River Valley for their extraordinary medical care of Norrine. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.



This obituary was originally published in the Roanoke Times.