Norma Eva Balaj

Norma Eva Balaj Norma Eva Balaj (nee Elias), 81, went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 5, 2011 to be reunited with her beloved husband of 36 years, Tom; her parents, George and Celia Elias; and her brother, Eddie Elias. Born May 25, 1930 in Akron, Ohio, Norma lived all of her life in the Akron/Fairlawn area. After graduation from West High School, Norma worked for her father and uncle at Elias Distributing Co., before becoming a successful realtor. Norma married Tom Balaj in 1956 at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in a memorable wedding that brought together Akron's Lebanese and Romanian communities. A lifelong St. George member, Norma helped establish the youth organization on a regional scale. Norma considered her greatest accomplishments and pride and joy to be her surviving children, George (Olena) Balaj, Edward (Jennifer) Balaj, Beth (Mark) Beaton, and Charles Balaj, along with her beloved grandchildren, Nicholas, Daniel, Samantha, Tommy, Rachel, Molly and Joseph. Norma is also survived by her sisters, Nancy (Pete) Stevens, Jackie (Richard) Wilson, her dear cousin, Jerrie Elias, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral service will be on Friday, September 9, at 11 a.m. at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 3204 Ridgewood Rd., Akron, OH 44333. Entombment at Rose Hill Burial Park. Calling hours will be at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 83 N. Miller Rd., Fairlawn, OH 44333 on Thursday, September 8, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and one hour before service Friday at the Church. Donations in Norma's memory can be made to The Fairlawn International Association of Firefighters Lodge 4164 and/or the Fairlawn Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 131. In addition, Norma's family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Hospice of VNS, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron, OH 44333. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)