Nora Little Wightman Gilstrap

Nora Wightman Gilstrap was born April 26, 1983, and died October 20, 2022, after suffering cardiac arrest, perhaps due to Long QT Syndrome.  She is survived by her husband, Matt, and their 11 month old daughter, Piper; her parents, Kathy and Alec Wightman; her sister, Emily (Cameron) O’Reilly and their children, Gavin and Charlie; and a multitude of family and friends who loved her dearly.

Nora graduated from Columbus School for Girls in 2001 and Earlham College in 2005, and she received her Masters in Social Work from The Ohio State University. We will remember her as a kind and loving young girl and woman with a passion for helping others, which led to a career as a therapist.

She also had a passion for music, especially all things Phish, Ekoostic Hookah and Ani DiFranco. She enjoyed family vacations, including skiing, swimming, hiking and “spa-ing.” Nora was a yoga enthusiast and championed many forms of self-help, educating all of us along the way. Although not part of a formal religion, she was spiritual and embraced people equally, with love and without judgment.

Her greatest joy was her daughter, Piper, now just 11 months old, who she leaves behind to be cherished by her dad and the rest of her family, making sure Piper knows her mom and benefits from Nora’s presence forever.

Friends and family are invited to stop by for a celebration of Nora’s life between 1:30 and 4:00 PM on Sunday, November 13, at Natalie’s Grandview, 945 King Avenue, Columbus Ohio. 

 In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nora’s memory can be made to the Divided Sky Foundation (www.dividedskyfoundation.com), Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio (www.weareplannedparenthood.org) or the charity of your choice.