Norma Weiss Grove passed away on June 7, 2016, in Birmingham, Alabama. Norma was born on March 14, 1934, in Montgomery and was the daughter of the Carroll Beatty Weiss and William Fredrick Weiss.
Norma is survived by her four children: Carroll Grove Penton of Montgomery, AL; Frank Leon Grove III (Debbie) of Macon, GA; Elizabeth Grove Carraway (John) of Birmingham, AL, and Vivian Grove Palmer (Michael) of Coosada, AL. Norma had six grandchildren: Simeon Franklin Penton III; Annie Elizabeth Grove; Caroline Beatty Grove; Norma Carroll Penton; Frances Vivian Carraway, and Vivian Rachel Palmer.
Norma attended Mary Baldwin College where she studied Psychology and where she made many life-long friends. She finished her degree at the University of Alabama and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. Shortly after graduation, Norma married Frank Leon Grove Jr.
After her divorce in 1972, Norma returned to school and completed a Masters in Counseling. It was during this time that she became close to her cousin, Sammy Reese. Sammy remained very dear to Norma until his death in 1985.
Norma continued to reinvent herself throughout her life. She returned to school when she was 58 to become an Education Specialist and a Licensed Practicing Counselor. Upon completing these degrees, she was offered a position at Cahaba Care in Selma where she worked with those struggling with addiction and abuse. This was one of the most rewarding times in her life and when she truly came into her calling. It was during this time that she deepened her spiritual life. Upon joining St. John's Episcopal Church, she quickly began and completed EFM. She also attended Cursillo with her daughter, Carroll.
Norma's life was filled with interests and hobbies including opera, quilting, reading, sewing, and roses. For many years, she studied piano with Harald Rohlig. Whatever she began, she perfected. Norma loved the beach at St. George Island and would walk for hours collecting shells and Indian pottery. Upon retirement, she became an accomplished artist. Her love of art and her garden sustained her time and interests in the last of her fifty years on Laurel Lane.
A memorial service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Montgomery on Saturday, June 11 at 11:00 with a reception at the church following.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 200 Office Park Drive Suite 115, Birmingham AL 35223. alabama@cff.org.
The family would like to express their love and gratitude to Allison Hines and Shirley Williams for their tender and diligent care of Norma.
Published in the Montgomery Advertiser from June 10 to June 12, 2016.