Obituary of Alfena Norville

Alfena "Alfie" Norville 4/7/1929 - 2/10/2015 Alfie Norville of Tucson, Arizona and Soldotna, Alaska, loving wife of Allan Norville and #1 Arizona Wildcat fan passed away in Tucson, Arizona from unexpected heart failure on February 10, 2015. Alfie was preceded in death by first husband, James Barton and oldest son, Jim. She is survived by Allan, her husband of 49 years; her daughters, Patti of Tucson, AZ and Cher of Sedona, AZ and her son, Mike (wife Billie) of Phoenix, AZ. She is also survived by grandchildren, Dan (wife Candace), Lexie (husband Stuart Morris), Reena, Jason, Michelle, Jordan, Miles, Austin, Dylan and Ben and three great-grandchildren, Cameron, Hannah and Sophia. Alfie was born in Downers Grove, Illinois. She was raised in Koontz Lake, Indiana and attended the University of Indiana. Before moving to Tucson over 50 years ago for relief from her rheumatoid arthritis, Alfie owned a farm in Walkerton, Indiana and later worked as a General Contractor in Chicago, Illinois, which led to an appearance, in 1960, on the TV show "What's My Line". After moving to Tucson, Alfie became Tucson's first licensed female stockbroker and worked for Walston & Company (NYSE). Her exhaustive volunteer work in Tucson included the Board of Directors of the University of Arizona, Sarver Heart Center and the Arizona Astronomy Board; President of the Newman Center Sustaining Board; President of the Saint Joseph's Parish Alter & Rosary Society; President of the Southern Arizona Arthritis Foundation; and President and District Governor of Altrusa International, Inc. She was also part of the original cast for the formation of the Arizona Theatre Company. She was a member of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre with the rank of Lady Commander with Star. Alfie was the inspiration and founder of the Gem and Jewelry Exchange (GJX) gem show in Tucson, Arizona. Her philanthropic efforts have been recognized by the Gootter Foundation as a Philanthropist of the Year and by the Catholic Community Services as a Diamond of the Community. She was also awarded the "Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year, 2011" by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In 2006, Alfie was recognized as a "Remarkable Mom" by the Tu Nidito Children and Family Services of Tucson. Alfie was a driving force in the planning and development of the Alfie and Allan Norville Center for Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Loyola Chicago. She was also instrumental in the creation of the Alfie and Allan Norville Endowed Chair in the Sarver Heart Center's Molecular Cardiovascular Research Program headed by Henk Granzier, PhD. Alfie was a major supporter of and contributor to The United Way Tocqueville Society and the Catholic Diocese of Tucson. When not basking in the beauty of the southwest, Alfie enjoyed nothing more than spending time with family and friends at "Norville's Fish n' Fun", her Soldotna, Alaska home. In addition to hosting and spoiling her Alaska guests, Alfie continued with her philanthropic endeavors by volunteering for charitable organizations in Alaska. Alfie was brighter than any diamond. Her healing smile could brighten even the darkest of desert days. Her impact can be felt across the country in the hearts of those who were blessed enough to have the opportunity to know her. As a mother, grandmother, wife and friend, Alfie made everyone feel as though she had a part in developing them. All will remember her as a woman who never gave up in her mission to make everyone around her feel like family. It is for this that she will be greatly missed in the hearts of many. The life of this remarkable woman will be celebrated on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 8650 N. Shannon Road, Tucson, AZ. Alfie's favorite color was RED, "WILDCAT RED", therefore the family invites everyone to wear red to this celebration. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the University of Arizona, Sarver Heart Center (http://heart.arizona.edu/giving; 520-626-4146 or 800-665-2328) in the name of Alfie Norville. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel.