Norma Gene McKinney

Norma Gene McKinney, age 91, of Bremerton, Washington, died on February 25, 2025, at St. Michael’s hospital in Silverdale, Washington, with her son, Michael, at her side. She passed while the hospital chaplain and Michael were saying the Lord’s Prayer at her bedside. She leaves behind her daughter, Linda Sheets (Dennis), sons Casey (Susan) and Michael (Tae), eight grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Roderick McKinney, her brother, Charles (Skip) Robinson, and her two sisters, Kay Ann Tezak and Evelyn Kay Robinson. She will be dearly missed by her family.

Norma (nickname Punky, short for Pumpkin), was born on March 15, 1933, in Frankfort, Michigan. She enjoyed spending time with her grandpa (called him Pa). She did waitressing and typing for teachers in high school. Her father, Kenneth (called Peg), ran a gas station and her mother, Evelyn, was a school teacher and played organ for the Lutheran Church.

She met her future husband, Elbert (Bert) McKinney, at her Grandpa’s military funeral. Elbert was part of the Coast Guard honor guard. They married in 1950 and had four children from 1951 to 1954. During their time in Michigan they lived in two lighthouses on Lake Michigan, Point Betsie and Grand Traverse, for part of this time.

Many moves ensued with the Coast Guard. Norma and Bert left Michigan in 1960 and subsequently lived in Port Angeles, Washington; Pensacola, Florida; Portland, Maine; Cape May, New Jersey; Kodiak, Alaska; and finally moved to Seattle in 1968 where they settled. During this time Norma did volunteer work for the Native Children Orphanage, for various Officers’ Wives Clubs, and for Rainier Beach Methodist Church as financial secretary.

They divorced in 1980 and Norma joined the workforce with Anaconda Copper, as office administrator. When Anaconda closed their office in Seattle she went to work for All Phase Electrical, handling Accounts Payable. She worked for All Phase until her retirement.

Norma enjoyed reading, crocheting, doing puzzles, playing Rummikub, and Pinochle. She loved to take walks, eat chocolate, go to the ocean, and watch ping-pong, old movies, and Seahawks games. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with family, especially the grandkids and great grandkids. For them, going to Grammy’s was one of their favorite things to do, particularly when they could overnight. She would spoil them with treats and extra love. Whenever able, Grammy was at every concert, game, or special occasion.

A memorial service will be held at Bremerton United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 23rd, at 1:00pm. Her ashes will be laid to rest with her son, Roderick, at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery in Renton, Washington.