Obit request brings books to Neale Elementary
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VIENNA -- Neale Elementary School students received a donation of children's books thanks to the final wishes of a longtime Parkersburg resident.
Norma Lee Goudy Powell, 90, of Parkersburg, passed away Jan. 15 and in her obituary the family asked for donations to benefit area students.
Powell, a 1947 graduate of Parkersburg High School, has two great grandchildren who attend Neale Elementary.
"Everyone who knew Norma knows how much she loved reading, and most of all her grandchildren, so in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Neale Elementary School in Vienna to purchase children's books for their library," the obituary read.
Kayla Brown, library media specialist for Neale Elementary, said the response was overwhelming.
"Following the funeral, I received several donations totaling almost $500 to purchase new books for the library," Brown said. "I was able to purchase 24 library-bound books that are now in circulation and inside each book I placed a book plate stating the books were purchased in her memory."
Brown said she, the staff and the students of Neale were grateful for the thoughtful gift.
"I would just like for her family to know how much the donations are appreciated and that Norma's memory will live on in our library," Brown said. "It was a great gesture of generosity from her family in such a difficult time."