Norma Westbrook Obituary

Norma Jean Gilmour Westbrook MT. PLEASANT - Norma Jean Gilmour Westbrook, born in Rockford, IL on October 25, 1931, passed away October 6, 2017, at her home in Mt. Pleasant, SC of heart failure. Norma was the daughter of Jack and Evelyn Gilmour of Rockford, IL. She was married to Donald Andrus Westbrook, Sr. for 63 years until his passing in 2015. Norma graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture and Botany. She was strongly dedicated to her family and always taught her children to go after what they were passionate about, and to enjoy life. Norma's approach to family was unconditional love, encouragement, laughter, and a love of learning. As a botanist, Norma was talented and received recognition for her work in cultivation and grafting of flowers. She was a talented artist in various media: pencil, charcoal, oil, watercolor and batik. As a master wood carver/painter, she depicted birds of many species and displayed them in juried art shows for 20+ years. She loved to do art projects with her family. Norma was also an accomplished weaver, avid reader, musician, fan of folk music, games and crosswords. As a naturalist and lover of the outdoors, she collected flowers, plants, seeds and animal bones during excursions spent camping and hiking with her family. Norma met her husband, Donald Andrus Westbrook, Sr. as a teenager, while in the church choir. Norma had four children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Andrus Westbrook, Sr., her son John Walter Westbrook, and her brother-in-law Edward "Ted" Westbrook (Terry). Norma is survived by her daughter Linda Westbrook Moreland and son-in-law Mark Mrugacz of Mt. Pleasant, her son Donald Andrus Westbrook, Jr. and daughter-in-law Yvette M. Westbrook of Apple Valley, CA, her daughter Jodi Westbrook Flowers and son-in-law Dr. Robert Flowers of Mt. Pleasant, her beloved grandchildren, Donald Andrus Westbrook, III, Ph.D. (Rachel), Blake Everett Westbrook (Sara), Kathryn Flowers Mitchell (Dr. Colin Mitchell), Elena Boyd Flowers, Robert Coleman Westbrook Flowers, Magdalen Elizabeth Fortiere Westbrook, great-grandson Noah Benjamin Westbrook, and special friend Francina. To honor Norma's wishes, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to PBS at pbs.org, South Carolina Public Broadcasting at scetv.org, or East Cooper Meals on Wheels at ecmow.org. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston