Mary June Norman

The “Mother” of Terry Home, Mary J. Norman of Auburn, passed away on June 29 at age 72. Mary’s passion and commitment is a great loss in our lives and our communities.

She was born in Sibley, Iowa to Clifford and Gertie Wills. After attending school at Holman #8 Country School in Sibley, she transferred to and graduated from Sibley High School in 1959.

She married Junior “Sonny” Norman shortly after graduating high school and they were blessed with three children. Mary worked at the Sibley-Gazette Newspaper for several years and after moving to the Seattle area, she worked at Cenex as bookkeeper. She then went on to start her own bookkeeping business.

In 1984, her son, Terry, was involved in a car accident which resulted in a traumatic brain injury. After discovering that there was no place to put her 18 year old son but a geriatric nursing home, Mary and her long-time friend and partner, James “Cec” Wilson, began a ten year journey to build a home for ten young adults who have all survived a traumatic brain injury. This home is located in Pacific, WA and opened in 1996.

Just last year, in 2013, Terry Home opened its second home in Auburn for 12 more young adult survivors of traumatic brain injury including housing for our returning veterans.

From the beginning, Mary was heavily involved with the running of these homes. She faithfully served on the Board as Treasurer and provided bookkeeping services for the organization.

Mary was an active member of the Auburn Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary where she served as secretary for many years. Lately, she could always be found at the Club on Thursday nights to enjoy the “barstool” bingo.

Mary was preceded in death by her long-time friend and partner, James “Cec” Wilson, her mother and father and her granddaughter, Hailey. Those who are left to celebrate her life are her two sons, Tim Norman of Kent, Terry Norman of Auburn, and Amanda Betsill of Austin, Texas. Also, four grandchildren, Shelby, Josh, Matthew, Jana; three great-grandchildren Maya, Ethan and Violet and two sisters, Lois May of Sibley, Iowa and Myla Montgomery of Federal Way.

In lieu of flowers, please make any memorials to Terry Home at PO Box 2209, Auburn, WA 98071.

or www.terryhomeinc.org