Esther Norman

Esther Norman

Esther Norman passed away December 24, 2022 in Redmond, WA. Esther was born September 7, 1930 in Carlton, OR as the second of four children of Carl and Selma Young. She was raised in McMinnville, OR, graduating from McMinnville High School and then earned a BS in Home Economics from Linfield College. While at Linfield, Esther worked in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Weston Heringer helping with their four children who became lifelong friends.

Esther taught at the Hillcrest School for Girls in Salem, OR then Sheridan High School in Sheridan, OR. Wanting to see the world, Esther became a stewardess for United Airlines based in Boston then Seattle. She met fellow United Airlines employee Marvin Norman at Seattle Tacoma International Airport. They were married on October 5, 1957 in McMinnville, OR and made their home in Seattle before moving to Enumclaw, WA after daughter Cheryl and son Craig were born.

Esther taught in the Highline and Enumclaw School Districts before choosing to be a full-time homemaker. She was an avid gardener and canned or froze the fruits and vegetables of her harvest. Esther enjoyed sewing cloths for her family and crocheting lap robes and shawls. She volunteered in her children’s classrooms and attended all of their sporting events and music concerts. Esther was a leader for Campfire Girls, a member of Eastern Star and leader of the Rainbow Girls.

Esther enjoyed taking family weekends and vacations touring throughout the Pacific Northwest in their travel trailer. After Marv retired, they purchased a motorhome and traveled to Southern California each winter and enjoyed taking cruises, especially taking their grandsons to Alaska and the Baltic Sea. They built a beach house at Rhodesia Beach overlooking Willapa Bay, eventually living there full time before moving to Esther’s hometown of McMinnville.

Esther moved to Emerald Heights in Redmond, WA to be near her son’s family after Marv passed away. She was active within her retirement community and enjoyed serving on the Spiritual Life Committee and facilitating memorials.

Esther was proceeded in death by her daughter Cheryl, husband Marvin, and sister Bertha Wood. She is survived by her son Craig and wife Kristin, grandson Sean and wife Amy, grandson Jason, brother Edward Young, sister Velma Bottenberg, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Emerald Heights on Friday, January 6th at 11:00 AM. Memorials may be made to the McMinnville Kiwanis Scholarship Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 115 McMinnville, OR 97128.