Norma E. Salisbury
Norma Elaine Salisbury, a kind and gentle woman of God, died peacefully in her home on Thursday, August 26, 2021, surrounded by many people who loved her dearly. Born Norma Elaine Houghtaling on May 31, 1933 in Lum, Mich. to Joseph and Marion (Goodrich) Houghtaling, she grew up in a family filled with Christian values, hard-work, and love. On August 11, 1951, she married Rev. Arthur R. Salisbury, and filled the world around them with kindness and compassion. Their two children carry on these beautiful traditions.
A kind smile, always present, compassionate, patient, and humble, Norma also had a wonderful laugh that would bring a smile to your face in an instant. Some of her many generous talents include making wedding cakes, making candy for all kinds of special occasions, and taking plates of these delicious goodies to everyone she knew, and sewing (she sewed every single stitch of her daughter’s wedding). In addition, Norma was a homemaker extraordinaire: cooked wonderful meals, sewed, and cared for not only her children but the neighborhood children, and did everything with kindness and a loving attitude. Norma was also known as a wonderful pianist at their churches for many years.
Norma gained many lifelong friends in her neighborhood by fostering a neighborhood event every Tuesday, which became neighborhood pizza night. All the neighbors gathered together for pizza, salad, and dessert. Norma’s salads were always very deliberately and artistically put together (her salads were never just a tossed salad, everything in them was placed in a way that made the salads beautiful and delicious looking). A kind and fair woman, she was an example of a servant for others and a follower of Jesus.
Norma is survived by her husband of 70 years, Rev. Arthur Salisbury; son, Arvid (Katie) Salisbury; daughter, Arla (Lee) Barnhill; five grandchildren, Jenica Lawrence, Astin Salisbury, Brock Salisbury, Cody Barnhill and MaLeesha Wilmoth; 11 great-grandchildren; and sister, Isabel Rauh. She was preceded in death by siblings, Elva Ostrander, Francis (Nadine) Houghtaling, George (Louise) Houghtaling; brother-in-law, Chris Rauh; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support the Salisbury family by sharing memories on her tribute page at prayfuneral.com. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, August 31, at the Waverly Nazarene Church in Lansing with Pastors Russell Marklund and Duane Royston officiating. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to prayfuneral.com, click on Norma’s tribute, then click on photos and videos from your computer (or media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Sparrow Home Care Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.