Our dear mother, grandmother and great-gram left this world on June 23, 2018 at the age of 91. Norma was born in Seattle, Washington on November 23, 1926 and was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, James Emerald Gaston who died on April 26, 1999.
She lived most of her life in what is now Shoreline, Washington but had lived in Puyallup, Washington since 1996. There she made many friends at Silver Sneakers, YMCA Yoga and the First Presbyterian Church of Puyallup where she volunteered with the preschool weekend food program, Food For Kids.
Her mother was Clara Campbell Bartol and her father was Francis H. Bartol. She had twin brothers Gerald (deceased) and Harold, who survives her.
Her mother died in1944, and her father was working the graveyard shift at the Bremerton Naval Ship Yard. Rather than let her leave school to care for her younger brothers, her mother's lifelong friend Margaret Colgan Bookey & her husband Jim took her and the boys into their family. She stayed there until she married in 1946. The Bookey children, Jim Jr., Jerry, Vince and Patty were like siblings to her, and she kept in touch with them throughout her life. All but Vince and Patty have predeceased her.
She graduated from Bothell High School in 1945. She spent her children's younger years as a homemaker, and worked for several years at Safeco Insurance Company. She and Jim lived off and on in Anchorage and Fairbanks Alaska due to Jim's work as a construction superintendent.
She was warm, kind and sweet-tempered but fierce in her beliefs about social justice and mercy. She loved flowers and puttering in her various yards and gardens. Wherever she lived, there were blooming plants. She was a master seamstress, and an avid knitter/crocheter. Hundreds of babies have been given her crocheted baby blankets. She was dedicated to exercise and healthy eating, but in her later years she did enjoy a sundae for lunch. She loved crossword puzzles and did them daily, sometimes more than one a day. She always volunteered when needed. She became adept at email and Facebook to keep up with her grandchildren & great grandchildren.
She is survived by many who will miss her terribly. Her immediate family of four children and their spouses: Christine Gaston; Linda Francois (Bob); Dan Gaston (Lisa); Cindy Jackson (Ted). Her grandchildren and spouses: Bergman Oswell; Katie Russell (Sonny); Louise Francois Watkins (Adam); Josh Francois (Keri); Sarah Gaston; Miles Gaston and her great grandchildren: Oliver, Lono and Georgia Francois Watkins, Khione and Margaux Russell and James Emerald and Jack Francois. She had many nieces, nephews, great nieces & great nephews. Her friends Laura, Barb, Phyllis, Shirley, Eunice, Myrna and ErrolLynne will miss her too.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2018; Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, WA 98036
In lieu of flowers, her family suggests a donation in her memory to the Food For Kids program at which she volunteered. If you wish to do so, you may send a check with Norma Gaston Food for Kids on the memo line to:
First Presbyterian Church of Puyallup
412 W. Pioneer
Puyallup, WA 98371
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