Adele Lenore Norton

March 25, 1918 – April 2, 2019

After a long and beautiful life, Adele passed away on Tuesday morning April 2nd at 1:43am. She died at her home in Chula Vista with loved ones surrounding her. She had celebrated her 101st birthday the week before.

Adele was born in San Ysidro on March 25, 1918 to James Russell Johnson and Ethel Elaine (Tavan) Johnson. She grew up in San Ysidro and continued to be a San Diego resident all her life. She was so proud to be a native San Diego girl. Adele graduated from Sweetwater High School and then attended secretarial school. During the War she worked at Rohr in the payroll department and at the San Ysidro Post Office. She then became an insurance agent and worked for Creaser Price in San Ysidro.

Adele married Oral K Norton on Easter Sunday 1946 at 7am. Oral then dashed off to ride at Aqua Caliente, after which they headed to Los Angeles for their wedding reception. Adele and Oral had 4 children as well as many horses, a pig, chickens, rabbits, dogs and kitties! They were married for 55 wonderful years, until Oral’s passing in 2001.

The Chula Vista Community of Christ was their home congregation. They really enjoyed worshipping at their church and participating in the church activities of camping, family nights, and couple retreats. She volunteered at her church’s Camp Buckhorn until she was 88 and the youth knew her as the Oatmeal Lady!

Oral and Adele loved “RV’ing and traveled to Baja, Canada and all around the continental U.S. Their favorite activity though, was being with their children, grandkids and great grand kids! They loved camping in the desert with family and they never said no to a dune buggy or baja bug ride.

Adele had a green thumb and loved every little plant in her garden. At their home in San Ysidro she had many fruit trees and berry bushes and Adele’s specialty was berry cobbler.

Adele almost single handedly kept the Chula Vista thrift stores in business and loved visiting with her neighbors. She enjoyed her 6 toed kitty Eloise and they even had a spot on the Levely Show tv show last year on her 100th birthday. Adele was passionate about recycling and saving for the future. She even had a current driver’s license which needed to be renewed in 2020!

Adele is survived by her four children and spouses, James (Roberta), Virginia ( Joe), Oral Kenneth Jr.(Gina) and Ronold (Debi). As well as 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 1 great- great grandson and her many adored nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Adele’s Life will be held at Glen Abbey in Bonita CA in the Little Chapel of Roses, on Friday April 26th.. There will be a viewing at 1pm, with services at 2pm and a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Outreach International or the Humane Society.