Carmel Gloria Norcom

Carmel Gloria Norcom, daughter of the late Henry Charles Norcom, Sr., and Carmel Gloria Braden Norcom of Clifton, Virginia, was born on January 21, 1968, in Okinawa, Japan. On October 25, 2023, she died from natural causes at the age of fifty-five, at her home in McLean, Virginia. Carmel, also known affectionately as “C.G.,” was the youngest of six children, and was predeceased by her brothers, Charles (“Chuck”) Edward Norcom of Clifton, Virginia, and Henry Charles Norcom, Jr. of Chantilly, Virginia. From the moment C.G.’s parents brought her home from the hospital, her older siblings doted over her. From helping to feed her, to taking her on regular strolls, to entertaining her with fun activities, they relished the time they had with her as she was the true “baby” of the family, being seven years younger than the fifth of six children. That commitment C.G.’s older siblings had to her remained unbreakable until the day of her passing. C.G. excelled in school both scholastically and artistically. During her years of schooling at Chantilly High School, Chantilly, Virginia, she was recognized by the Fairfax County School Board and the Commonwealth of Virginia for her talents as an alto clarinetist and clarinetist in CHS’ Marching Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble, and in the Commonwealth’s Regional Band and All Virginia Band. Upon earning the Governor’s Diploma in 1986, C.G. attended the prestigious Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Bloomington, Indiana, after a compelling audition on the alto clarinet. C.G. ultimately graduated from Indiana University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and in 1994 earned a Master of Science in Advertising from the highly-ranked S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York. C.G. would go on to have a career in a range of administration and office management positions. Her final position as an administrative assistant would be at KAUST Investment Management Company (“KIMC”), Arlington, Virginia, where she would serve almost 12 years. She often would share with her family many funny stories of her time with her colleagues at KIMC, particularly of their infamous holiday party gift exchange, all gifts of which C.G. would wrap because of her ability to present a beautiful package, just like her beloved mother. Known more formerly as Carmel to her KIMC family, she would come to be known by them as an integral part of KIMC because of her caring nature and dedication to work. However, it would be Carmel’s smile, lovely sense of humor, and friendship that they would come to remark would miss the most. C.G. had a penchant for genealogy, which began at the tender age of 12 when she researched and wrote an essay about her great grandfather, Israel Charles (“I.C.”) Norcom, a pioneer educator, civic leader, and businessman, for whom I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, is named. Through her countless efforts and thorough research, C.G. delighted in illuminating her extended Norcom-Braden family about its roots in Africa, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, and New Orleans, Louisiana, and its rich history of distinguished family members who excelled in education, business, the military, medicine, and law. With C.G.’s passing, this void undoubtedly will be hard to fill. C.G. loved all things cat. From the real-life furry animal to whimsical cat jewelry, clothing, and art, cuddling up with her “Kitty,” “Cally,” and “Shadow” brought her true joy. She also enjoyed all types of horror genre, embroidery, and cooking shows. On family vacations, if a casino was nearby, C.G. never passed up a slot machine, even though most times she would come away with a zero balance ticket. It was all about the fun to C.G. She whole-heartedly enjoyed music of all kinds, from hip-hop to jazz to classical to funk, and Broadway theatre and music concerts. Being immersed in a good novel about the South, particularly about her beloved Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where she treasured frolicking in the warm water of the Atlantic Ocean, and of family, relationships, and love, was a great escape for C.G. She also was a true sports aficionado, particularly when it came to her beloved Indiana Hoosiers basketball team and Dallas Cowboys football team. “March Madness” and Sundays during football season will not be the same without her. C.G. loved her family. As the youngest child, she, without hesitation, lovingly took on the responsibility of caring for her beloved parents as they advanced in age. As for the younger generation of the Norcom-Braden family, C.G. delighted in participating in the activities and interests of her beloved nephews and nieces, regardless of what that would entail. Traveling country- and world-wide with her family, fixing special desserts during the holidays, including her much-anticipated “snowball,” and spending precious time with a beloved childhood friend, were among the times that C.G. cherished the most. During C.G.’s last years of her life, with grace and determination, she approached her at-home kidney dialysis treatments with the same spirit and thoroughness she approached other demands in her life. C.G.’s family will be forever grateful to the support she received from the American Kidney Fund and her KIMC family. Because of this, C.G.’s family’s last memory of her waving “good-bye” with that beautiful smile and twinkle in her eye will live forever. Survivors include a brother, Malcolm Braden Norcom of Milton, Georgia, and two sisters, Evelyn Loretta Norcom Burton of Woodbridge, Virginia, and Janet Vera Norcom of Arlington, Virginia; a nephew, Brandon Charles Burton of Arlington, Virginia; two nephews, Miles Braden Norcom and Grant Charles Norcom of Milton, Georgia, and a niece, Bianca Kathleen Norcom of Nashville, Tennessee; a nephew, Oliver Henry Norcom and a niece, Madison Cambrie Norcom of Chantilly, Virginia; a sister-in law, Sandra Bishop Norcom of Chantilly, Virginia; other relatives, including many cousins; and a host of close friends. Family, friends, and colleagues loved Carmel and are heartbroken over her sudden passing. She served as a source of strength to many. Persons who met her for the first time found her to be kind, sweet, and warm. Her beautiful smile, sense of humor, and loving nature will be missed by all. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund, www.kidneyfund.org and the PetSmart Charities, www.petsmartcharities.org.