Norma J. Wilbur

Norma Jacobson Edelman Wilbur of Sag Harbor, NY passed away on June 19, 2026 / 4 Tammuz 5786.

Norma was born on September 1, 1931 in New York, NY, the daughter of Philip and Frieda (Herzl) Jacobson. She graduated from Newtown High School in Queens, NY in 1948 and received a Bachelor's in Education from Queens College in 1952, where she pledged the Upsilon Phi sorority, maintaining close ties with her sorority sisters throughout her life. Years later she earned a Master's in Education with her thesis on the importance of positive reinforcement in improving educational outcomes for primary school students.

Norma married Dan Edelman in 1953. They lived for several years in Huntington, NY before moving for a year to Netanya, Israel (1963-64). They then returned to Rego Park, NY where they lived until Dan passed away in 1979. After their return to the United States, Norma resumed her prior career as a pubic school teacher and until retirement was the science teacher for the upper grades at PS 220 in Queens, NY. She was also the school's union rep and an active leader within the United Federation of Teachers.

Norma married Richard (Dick) Wilbur in 1982. After they retired, Norma and Dick moved to their dream home in Sag Harbor, NY while spending winter months in Boynton Beach, FL. During their retirement years prior to Dick's passing in 2007, they loved boating on Peconic Bay, travel, exploring art galleries in the Hamptons and wildlife preserves in New York and Florida. They hosted regular meetings of fellow professional retirees and Norma volunteered as an usher at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor and as a docent at the LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton. Norma was also active in the Southampton chapter of Hadassah, serving for a time as chapter chair.

Norma is survived by her sons Scott and Martin and stepdaughter Wendy and by her beloved grandchildren Daniel, Ilana, Rebecca, Amanda and Eytan, as well as her daughters-in-law Aylin and Sherri and son-in-law Alan.

Funeral services and interment will take place at 1 pm on Wednesday, June 24 at United Hebrew Cemetery, 122 Arthur Kill Road, Staten Island, NY.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Norma to American Friends of Magen David Adom