Norma Neil Sabiston

After 93 wonderful years, Norma Neil Sabiston passed peacefully on July 2, 2026, in Oriental, North Carolina.

Norma was born May 6, 1933, in Beckley, West Virginia and was reared in nearby New Hope. She had the most beautiful smile… an infectious laugh that would light up a room… and taught us how to live each day to the fullest.

Norma was the daughter of the late May Sneddon Neil and Rufus H. Neil. She is proceeded in death by her husband, Reverend William Devine Sabiston, III and cousin Caroline Downie.

Norma attended Marshall University, and graduated from Duke University. She was a lifelong blue devil fan!

Norma had a great love for science, animals, golf, and sailing. She enjoyed a 42-year career as a medical technologist and took pride in the fact that her lab provided critical answers for pediatric patients at Duke Medical Center. She was also proud that she was able to train residents and fellows on how to properly perform pediatric bone marrow aspirations.

Norma was an excellent golfer and was a frequent presence at the Washington Duke Golf Club.

Norma was married to the Rev. Bill Sabiston for 25 years. They took up sailing together and spent many years sailing the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound in eastern NC.

Bill and Norma spent time with the many friends they made throughout North Carolina during Bill’s ministry in the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Norma was a gracious minister‘s wife who stayed quietly and graciously in the background to Bill‘s larger-than-life personality and a faithful member of the choir, Sunday school, and Bible study throughout her life.

Norma was happiest with a puppy by her side or on her lap. In her later years in Oriental, one of her greatest joys was to go for a walk and visit with the neighborhood dogs.

She spent many childhood summers traveling to Scotland to visit her family. Norma spoke 4 languages fluently and enjoyed traveling abroad as adult. One of her greatest joys in her elder years was to have zoom calls—affectionately referred to as a blether—with her family in the UK, Liz, Sara, and Andi. She would laugh for a solid hour during these calls.

We were blessed with a loving care team to help us with Norma and are so thankful to Dr. George Moore and Dr. Alex Kirby for taking such excellent and loving care of her.

We are blessed with the kindness of Oriental United Methodist Church who wrapped their arms around us in prayers song, communion, and Christmas carols and our Long Memorial family who kept us in their loving care and always remembered Norma in prayer and with cards and calls.

We are also so thankful to our amazing in-home care team, the Gardens of Pamlico, and Hospice of Pamlico County for the loving care they showed to Norma and to us.

Norma is survived by her loving family in the UK, Baroness Elizabeth Jean Barker, Chris and Andrew Barker, Sara Barker, Gill and Neil Barker, James, Adam, and Amy Barker, along with her loving family in the US, including her stepson, Willam D. Sabiston, IV and wife Elizabeth; stepdaughter, Robyn Sabiston Creech and husband Lenny; grandson, Reverend William E. Sabiston and wife Abby; and great grandchildren Asher and Collins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the garden fund at Long Memorial United Methodist Church or Hospice of Pamlico County.