"I?m thankful to have had Grandma as long as we did. She was loving and kind. She did a lot for Justin and I when we were little-took us to school many mornings, had us for sleepovers, taught us how to play the piano. And so many other things. I know she is in a better place now. Love you Grandma."
In loving memory of
Eleanor Elizabeth Easton Norman
May 26, 1924 - October 17, 2020
Eleanor passed away peacefully on October 17, 2020 at the group home where she has been living for the past three years. She was born on May 26, 1924 in Clemons, Iowa. She was the oldest of four children of Richard and Winnifred Easton. She attended Clemons Elementary and High School. She was active in Basketball, Softball and Drama. She was a member of 4-H, played piano and sang in the church choir.
She married Roy M Norman right out of high school, just before he was deployed into the Army. Their first child Linda was born the following year. After serving in WWII oversees for 3 years he returned and they lived on family farms for two years (Marc was born during that time); before buying a farm in St. Anthony, Iowa where Betsy was born. They farmed in St. Anthony for 6 years.
In 1953 the couple sold their farm and they both started college at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Eleanor wanted to be a high school English or History teacher. She also took piano & voice in college. After her 2nd year of college, she was a part-time teacher, so she took elementary education courses.
The family started going to Montana every summer to help Eleanor's parents in their resort on McGregor Lake. In 1958, after 4 years of summers the family moved to Montana; where Eleanor & Roy both taught in one room school houses. After Dick was born in 1959 Eleanor became mother to a special needs son. Youngest son Tim was born in 1962.
The family returned to Iowa in 1964. They built a house in Union where Roy continued to teach school and Eleanor taught music in an elementary school. After 3 years, they moved back to Oskaloosa where Eleanor finished College in 1971 and Roy taught Special Ed for the rest of his career.
In 1983 Roy and Eleanor moved to Seattle to be closer to their grandchildren. They lived in their mobile home in a park in Bothell, WA. After Roy passed in 1985 she continued to live there until 2015 when she moved into a Senior Apartment.
When she no longer felt she could attend church she continued to watch programs on TV, read the bible and have weekly bible study with her friends. She loved the piano and played for church services for many years and gave piano lessons.
Daughter Linda moved to Orlando, Florida in 1994 and Eleanor began flying down there almost every winter for 6-7 weeks; they worked on quilts and did some sightseeing. Her last trip was in 2015 at the age of 91- still sewing on quilts and enjoying daily walks; and visiting her brother Roger (who sadly passed away in March this year).
Sewing was always part of her life; making quilts, pillows, clothing and doing crafts of any kind. Each year for Christmas she would make gifts for her children and grandchildren. Towel dresses, potholders, flower arrangements, landscape quilts, pillows.
She was always going places; taking a drive and spending time with family. She loved car rides and always wanted to go someplace every day. One of the highlights of her traveling was the trip she was able to take with her sister, Kissy when they went to Great Britain with a tour group in 1995. In 2012 she took an epic cross country road trip with daughters Linda and Betsy visiting family from coast to coast.
She is preceded in death by: Parents, Richard & Winnifred Easton; husband, Roy M Norman; son, Richard W Norman; Grandson, John T Norman. Sisters, Marjorie Easton Funke & Clarissa Easton Waller; Brother, Roger Easton
Survived by children: Linda G Fleming (Orlando, FL), Roy Marcus (Judy) Norman, Jr. (Post Falls, ID), Elizabeth J aka Betsy (Roy) Meguro (Kirkland, WA), Timothy C Norman (Idaho Falls, ID). Grandchildren: Vicki and Bryan Fleming, Jenni and Justin Meguro and Sara Norman. Great Grandchildren: Jameson Norman, Dylan and Makayla Meguro, Cadence and Abigale Norman.
Please consider donating to the American Cancer Society and or the Special Olympics to honor Eleanor.
Tributes
"I just want to say I really miss Mom, so much more than I imagined. I know she's in a better place without pain, in Heaven with the loved ones that passed before.. She had a full, long, interesting life! She loved family, children and animals, which proves she had a good heart! Thank you all for your support, thoughts, sympathies and prayers! Betsy Meguro"