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Norma Duval Obituary

DUVAL, NORMA JEAN

On Tuesday, September 9, 2003. The greatly loved wife of William G. Duval; loving mother of Michele Childs of Manassas, VA, William M. Duval of Portsmouth, VA and Danielle Mitchum of Herndon, VA. She is also survived by the absolute lights of her life, her lovely grandchildren, Lauren, Jacob and Coral; her mother, Olga Phillips and her sister, Arlene Michalka, both of Cannonsburg, PA. Relatives and friends may visit at PRICE FUNERAL HOME, 9609 Center St., Manassas, VA on Friday, September 12 starting at 7 p.m. Church services will be held 3 p.m. on Saturday at Price Funeral Home chapel. Afterward, Norma will be interred in a private family ceremony at the Columbarium in Arlington National Cemetery. She and Bill danced the first and last dances together at their senior prom in 1962, and they danced the first and last dances of life together. Today, Tomorrow, Always.

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Published by The Washington Post on Sep. 12, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Norma Duval

Sponsored by Bill, Norma's husband, and will be for Today, Tomorrow, Always.

Not sure what to say?





September 20, 2011

Lovely red rose for you on your birthday and anniversary. And again a friend left you a yellow rose.

Today, Tomorrow, Always

September 10, 2010

Happy Birthday once again. I see that a frined msut have left you a yellow rose to go with your rose.

Today, Tomorrow and Always.

September 10, 2009

Happy Birthday. I cam by to visit and leave you your Sterling Silver Rose on the 9th. Well, Bill and Angie had that little boy we talked about last time, William Scott, born on February 12th and cute as a button. Today, Tomorrow, and Always

September 16, 2008

Well Dear, another September 11th has come and gone, as did the 9th and 10th. It's amazing that you were born on the 10th, married on the 11th, and died on the 9th - all in September and all part of the Plan God had for you (us). Life is tough, but the kids are prospering. GREAT NEWS!! Bill and Angie are going to have a son!! Watch over them and guide Angie as you did Michele and Dani; they have turned out to be great Moms just like you. I came to visit you on the 9th; it was a drizzly day but you had a warmth about you as always. Today, Tomorrow and Always.

January 13, 2008

Life has become so, so hard. I need your guidance and help more than ever. Please visit and talk with me.

September 12, 2007

September 11th and Happy Anniversary. It is truly Today, Tomorrow and Always!

September 10, 2007

Happy Birthday Dear. The kids are growing up, happy and simply beautiful as you saw yesterday. Today, Tomorrow, Always.

Bill Duval

September 9, 2004

Dearest Norma,

I have missed you more than anyone could ever believe; this past year has been the longest year of my life. And it has been the only year of my life since 1961 that I have had to spend it without your smiling face, your sparkling eyes, your infectious laughter, your quick wit, your tenderness, your loving touch, your everything - without YOU. I want you to know that our children (Michele, Bill and Danielle) and our grandchildren (Lauren, Jacob and Coral) are all growing and prospering. Since we were last in each others arms Bill and Angie have married and are growing together, and caring for Coral. Michele and David continue to grow and prosper with Lauren and Jacob. Danielle and Gregg are very happy together and settled into their first home. Everyone is fine except for missing you so very, very much. I love you Today, Tomorrow, and Always!

Karen and Auggie Fucci

October 7, 2003

To the Duval Family - Karen and I send our warmest sympathies and condolences to all of you. Know well that Norma is with you all and will continue to be your guiding light. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

Bill Duval

October 2, 2003

(I’m going to speak in the present because Norma is with us now and for always.) Norma truly believes in life and living it to the fullest. She loves to watch the birds and hear them sing, listen to the gentle rain falling, see the excitement in a thunderstorm, feel the warmth of the sun on her face and feel the gentle breezes blowing through her hair. She loves the seasons equally but each for a different reason in the cycle of life. She loves the Summer for the warmth of the sun, the strolls along the beach, watching the kids romping and playing outside, and the smell of freshly mown grass. She loves the Fall for the brilliance of colors she can see in the autumn trees, taking the kids out trick or treating, the celebration of Thanksgiving with her family gathered all around her. She loves the Winter for the newly fallen snow and the freshness it brings to everything, and she dearly loves Christmas when her family is gathered around her sharing great love. She loves the Spring for the renewal of life, the blossoming of the flowers and the grass, and the rainbows that glisten in the sky. She loves walking hand in hand along the beaches of the world. Our plans are to walk on in life together, enjoying each other, our children and grandchildren.



“To believe in life is to know that all is happening exactly as it was meant to be!”



From the book of Genesis: “Then the Lord said ‘it is not good that man should be alone, I will make a life long partner for him’…”. And Norma is the perfect mate that God created especially for me.



She is always full of joy and giving fully of herself. Her concerns are always for others first, and never for herself.



She so loves her children: Michele, Billy and Danielle, and gives her all for her family.



Her grandchildren: Lauren, Jacob, and Coral are truly the lights of her life. Every day she spends with her grandchildren reminds her of the wonders of life. She raised Lauren and Jacob from their births until she became ill; and she would have loved to have done the same for Coral if the circumstances had been different. She will still be here to help and guide you Danielle when you have your children.



She is not gone and never will be gone from us - - you can see her in her children and grandchildren.



So, Shelly, Billy and Dani – when you look in the mirror see your Mom – she is within each of you and will always be there in your hearts. And when you gaze upon your children every day see that she lives on in them, and is in their little hearts too.



Lauren, Jacob and Coral; remember that Grandma is always with you and will always be there to help you, love you and keep you safe. All you have to do is feel her in your heart and ask her to talk with you. When you are ready she will come to you.



She lives on in my heart and keeps me comforted and warm, as she lives on in the hearts of all who have come to know and love her so. God could not have ever created a kinder, more gentle person.



She is the perfect Mate, Lover, Mother, Grandmother, Daughter and Sister.



For those who know Norma also know that in her days of deep personal struggle with the pain of cancer, she has always extended her heart; her hand; her gentleness, wisdom and understanding; her everything to help others fighting against the same beast. She never gave up on herself or on you – and she doesn’t want you to give up or despair. She was just so tired of fighting the constant battle for three years, and didn’t have the physical strength to finally win. God understands her giving and caring nature and in the final hours was very kind, giving and gentle with her. He could have let her struggle on for days, weeks or even months but she had done all he needed for her to do on this Earth. I told Him I didn’t want didn’t want Him to take her, but if He had to, I wanted him to take her gently, quickly and without any more pain. She had truly suffered more than anyone should, but at the same time she was so full of love and caring for everyone around her. She hid her pain from all of us; only when Michele took her to the hospital on Monday did she reveal the true depth of her suffering, but still she suffered on in silence. I should have done more with her, and for her; I didn’t take enough time to spend every minute with her as I am supposed to do.



All of her children were with her until a few minutes before the end of her physical life here on Earth. She was hanging on as long as they were in the room so as not to cause them any more pain; when I told them to go as a family and get something to eat she finally relaxed. I held her in my arms as we played and sang our romantic oldies music together. We danced the first and last dances together at our High School Prom, and we danced the first and last dance of life together.



She brightened her beautiful, sparkling eyes with a happy glow of glory in what she saw, and she breathed her last breath into a kiss with me.



When the kids returned we all held her for several hours, not wanting to let go but knowing that it was her wish that we go on as a family. We take what solace we can in the knowledge that she doesn’t hurt any more. None of us wants to lose her presence with us here on Earth, but neither do we want her to have any further pain and suffering.



A few hours later she came to me bathed in a brilliant white light, smiling with a contentment of one who truly knows peace within herself, and told me that she is all right and that she knows no pain and she can’t remember the pain from before.



She is with me, with us all and will always be with those who love her and whom she loves so greatly. She doesn’t want us to be sad or worry about her – like she said when she came to me with the smile that only she can give, “I am all right!” I am all right.



And she wants us to be all right too.



Norma, I love you so dearly, and I always will. You were my first love… Watch over all of us and be the special guardian angel for Shelly, Billy, Dani, Lauren, Jacob, Coral, David and Gregg, and all who love you and you so love.



Wait for me…….. I need you so very, very much.

Today,

Tomorrow,

Always

Simon and Niki Goerger

September 16, 2003

Dear Bill and family, what a beautiful write up and tribute to Norma Jean! We are lifting you up in prayer and know your beautiful wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, friend is making rainbows from heaven along with our Thomas Gabriel and spreading warmth and light. We ask God's comfort, blessings, and protection for you all. We know she will be greatly missed. God bless! Love,

Simon and Niki Goerger

William Zolp

September 16, 2003

My wife, Debbie, and my daughter, Mary, and I wish to express our sincerest condolences and sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.



Bill Zolp

Vern and Randi Bettencourt

September 14, 2003

To the Duval Family-Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss. May your faith and the prayers of your friends sustain you.

Ken Wilson

September 12, 2003

May God bless you and keep you. May he make his face to shine upon you and give you Peace. God's Plans have always been big...Norma is a significant player in God's Grand Scheme!!! Our prayers go out to you for God's Peace! The Wilsons

Linda Stone

September 12, 2003

To the Duval Family,



Please know that I am so sorry that Norma lost her battle with cancer. I know you miss her terribly.

Joe Foreman

September 12, 2003

My prayers are with your family.

Tedd Dugone

September 12, 2003

Mr. Duval,



We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and yours in this time of sorrow.



The Dugones

Phillip Abold

September 12, 2003

Bill,



My deepest sympathies for you and yours. I know what a tragic loss this is and how hard the past years have been. Anything that we can do to help is available.

Phil

Patricia Campbell

September 12, 2003

My thoughts and prayers to all. She now dances with the "greatest" dancers of all in heaven. May her footprints and memories dance in loved ones hearts and souls forever.



My heartfelt condelences in your time of loss.



Tricia

Stephen Croall

September 12, 2003

We extend our condolences and prayers to the Duval Family during these most difficult of times. May the peace and comfort of God assist all who knew and loved Norma Jean Duval.

Bill & Mimi Bewley

September 12, 2003

Bill, Mimi and I want to express our warmest condolences. You have always been a great friend and we share your pain. If there is anything we can do now or in the future to assist you or your family, all you have to do is ask. Our prayers are with you and your family. Bill and Mimi Bewley

Wanda Wharton

September 12, 2003

Bill & family: My sincere condolences for the passing of your wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and -- most of all -- friend. The passing of a loved one is never easy but rest assured that she will always remain in your heart. My prayers are with you all, WANDA

Paul Murtha

September 12, 2003

Bill - my deepest sympathy to you and your family. This is a reminder to me of the fragility of life and I have been hugging my wife a lot more the last couple days. Paul

Melanie Sampson

September 12, 2003

Mr. Duval and family, I'm so terribly sorry for your loss. There are no words that offer much comfort. Please know that the folks from AMSO care and if I can do anything to help, please let me know.

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