Norman V. Vigfusson

Norman V.

Vigfusson

Eight-two years of life. With his loving family around him, Norman V. Vigfusson passed away peacefully at the age of 82, after a courageous battle with cancer. Though our hearts are sad, we rejoice that he is now in Heaven with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Norm was born in a farming community outside of Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada to Eirikur and Gudrun Vigfusson. Life on the farm was good and wholesome for his family of nine. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1951 with a bachelor of science in agriculture. He married Doris Schienbein of Stony Plain, Alberta, in 1954 and they lovingly raised their five children. Norm later received his Ph.D in genetics from the University of Alberta and in 1969 he joined the staff at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash., where he taught genetics. In 1975 he began consulting at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane and later became the director of the Cytogenetics Lab. He was an active member of the Inland Empire Genetics Counseling Center and served on its board of directors for six years. After retiring in 1997, Norm and Doris traveled widely throughout the country in their motor home, eventually returning to a quiet pace at the Sullivan Park Retirement Community.

Norm loved and cherished Doris, his wife of 59 years; five children: Sandy (Dave) Jones; Dean (Shawna) Vigfusson; Sherri (Kim) Kolomyjec; Trevor (Charmain) Vigfusson; and Tracey (Bob) Maratas; 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; as well as numerous siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews. He always let them know how dear they were to him. A hallmark of Norm’s life was how he invested in the lives of those around him. Time with family and friends was a top priority. He will be missed and always remembered for his smile, gentle spirit and his heart of generosity and gratitude.

A celebration of his life will be held Friday, July 12 at 3 p.m. at Millwood Presbyterian Church followed by a picnic dinner at Mirabeau Meadows Park. Memorial contributions in Norm’s memory may be made to Sullivan Park Retirement Community at 421 S. Adams Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99216.