Norma Jean (Ewan) Simonsen

Jesus welcomed Norma Jean (Ewan) Simonsen home on December 5, 2019. She is survived by her husband Gordon, her step-children Warren (and Gretchen) Simonsen, Glen (and Chrystal) Simonsen and Paul (and Barbara) Simonsen, seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Norma was born in a small maternity home in Everett, Washington on April 3, 1925. She grew up in the Anacortes area. While there, Norma accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was later baptized before moving eventually to Seattle and graduating from Lincoln High School in 1942.

With the war going on, she worked at Coca-Cola for several years before entering and graduating from Stanford University with a BA degree in Physical Therapy and later a master’s degree. Starting work at the State of Washington Department of Labor Rehabilitation center, she transitioned to the US Public Health Service in 1949.

During her time there she enjoyed a variety of assignments. One such assignment took her to Staten Island, New York from 1950 to 1953. In Staten Island, she met Gordon and the Simonsen family for the first time at the Salem Evangelical Free Church. Although she developed a strong friendship with the family, she would not meet Gordon again until 1984 through her friendship with Gordon’s sister Marion.

Her job took her to Washington DC for 14 years with a promotion to Chief of the Physical and Occupational Therapy Branch for the US Public Health Services. Norma transitioned to the Seattle regional office in 1973 to take care of her ailing parents where she remained and retired in 1982. After getting reacquainted with Gordon in 1984, they were married in June 1986 in Edmonds.

Norma had a love for travel and vacationed in many places including Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, Peru, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore. After her marriage to Gordon they continued the travels going to Norway, a visit to the Holy Land and a trip following the journeys of Apostle Paul.

Another pleasure of Norma’s life was music. She played the violin and participated in church choirs which brought her much joy. The music, the friends made, and the fellowship was a tremendous blessing to her. As she reflected on her life, she has been quick to acknowledge the Lord’s guidance in directing her choices and decisions in life.

She was known as a very generous person, always willing to help others. She loved to host people at her home and was very gracious, hospitable and in service to everyone around her. She had a lifestyle of putting others before herself.

Even in her last days she was always smiling, content and did not want to be a burden on anyone. Her caregiver shared a story from several weeks ago. Norma was listening to them working on the laundry from her bed. Even though she has been paralyzed completely on her right side since her stroke in January and was confined to bed, she wanted to help. Norma asked if she could help them with the ironing. The caregiver needed to inform her that they do not iron anything anymore but appreciated her thoughtfulness. May we all learn this lesson of being a blessing to others around us.

A Memorial service will be held at 7 pm on January 3, 2020 at Alderwood Community Church, 3403 Alderwood Mall Blvd, Lynnwood, Washington.