Norma P. Kilburger
03-05-1926 — 02-14-2022
Florina “Norma” Palmina Primiterra was born March 5, 1926 in Philadelphia, PA, the youngest of three daughters born to her parents Florindo and Antonietta Primiterra. Her father Florindo emigrated from Italy with his brother Biagio right before World War I, leaving her mother and oldest sister Marina caught in Italy until after the war. Florindo was a tailor and established a business in Philadelphia, later moving to Elmer NJ for a short time, and then Glassboro NJ where Norma (as she was called by everyone) spent about 80 years of her life. Her best friend and confidant during her growing up years was her older sister Ida who lived in Glassboro until her passing November 2017. Norma attended Glassboro schools, graduating in 1944 from Glassboro High School.
After World War II ended, Norma dated and fell in love with Nicholas Kilburger Jr. whom she married on November 20, 1948. Norma and Nickie were inseparable and shared a wonderful life together until February 14, 2014 when her love Nickie died from complications of a stroke. Norma’s health was declining so she moved to live with her daughter Nina and son-in-law Tom Lovern in Hendersonville, NC and spent almost eight years with them. She is also survived by two grandsons – Joshua Lovern and his wife Deborah in Oregon, and Jared Lovern in Montana, and two great grandchildren, Jakob and Kaylee. In addition, Norma has several nieces and nephews who love their “Aunt Norma” and remember her fondly for her wonderful cakes, cookies, and delicious apple pies that she always brought to every special family occasion. Everyone always wanted an “Aunt Norma slice of pie” because she was generous with her portions.
Norma worked for 29 years at National Fruit in Glassboro (part of White House Vinegar Products) as their bookkeeper and weighmaster, and after retiring from there continued keeping ledgers for various small businesses around her area. She was very active in Glassboro United Methodist Church and served as their treasurer for their board of trustees for seventeen years. In North Carolina, she was a member of Etowah United Methodist Church. Norma loved her Lord and Savior very much and was a faithful follower of Jesus.
Norma loved to sew and was an excellent seamstress. She learned her sewing skills from her parents and carried them throughout her life. During her daughter’s growing up years, Norma made many outfits for Nina including school and “Sunday” clothes, and costumes. She also enjoyed counted cross stitching and needlepoint, and was a member of the South Jersey Craft Guild for several years. Many friends and family members received her personalized craft creations for holiday and special occasion gifts, usually with a little poem she wrote specifically for them.
Norma won’t be remembered as the bright starburst but rather the steady shining beam of light that always guided her family in her quiet, reserved, disciplined way. She was generous, kind, gentle, willing to pitch in to help family and friends, loved God and her family immensely, and was always there to hold a hand, lend a hand, and extend her hand in friendship and love. Norma left this earth on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2022.
A graveside funeral service will be held at Manahath Cemetary in Glassboro, NJ. Wednesday February 23, 2022 at 11:00 am.
Family suggests donations be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 S. Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731 in lieu of flowers. Norma will be missed immensely, but always in our hearts.