March 22, 2012

SMITHFIELD — Wendy Alston Ormsby, age 61, died surrounded by her family at home on Thursday, March 22, 2012, following a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born Nov. 3, 1950, in Portsmouth, Va., to the late Luther L. and Marjorie R. Alston. Upon graduating from Radford University, she taught art at John Yeates High School in Suffolk, Va. After leaving John Yeates to raise her family, she worked for NASA Langley Child Development Center, where she provided developmental child care services for the families of NASA Langley Research Center. Later she returned to Suffolk to work as a teacher assistant at Nansemond Parkway Elementary School. Second to her love for children was her love for animals. She raised exotic birds and Dachshunds and would provide loving care to injured or orphaned animals.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 38 years, Glenn D. Ormsby; a son, Ty L. Ormsby of Newport News, Va.; a daughter, Amber O. Powell and her husband, Nathan, of Chesterfield, Va.; two sisters, April A. Jenkins and her husband, Spike, of Bozeman, Mont., Robin A. Jones and her husband, Eric, of LaCrosse, Va.; a brother, Kevin L. Alston and his wife, Sandra, of Suffolk, Va.; a father-in-law, Robert G. Ormsby, of Suffolk, Va.; a sister-in-law, Gwynne Ormsby, of West Chester, Pa.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Friday, March 30, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. in Baker-Foster Funeral Home, Bennett’s Creek Chapel, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, VA 23435.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at P.O. Box 6062, Albert Lea, MN 56007-6662.

We would like to thank the staff of the Interim Healthcare Hospice and Missy Conroy, a former student, for their help and support. Condolences may be registered at www.bakerfoster.com.