Obituary for Sylvia Janet Norman
Sylvia Janet (Gauntlett) Norman was born in Seattle Washington to Marion Richard Gauntlett and Vivian Marie (Phillips) Gauntlett. In her youth she had many surprising skills and accomplishments, including flying a Cessna, captaining a yacht through the Ballard Locks, and swimming across Lake Washington. She graduated from Bellevue High School, in Bellevue Washington. After high school Sylvia was accepted into a private fine arts college to pursue her many talents. She chose to forgo college and marry, her one and only, Arthur Lee Norman Jr. in December of 1956. Together they started a family and shared a journey of 64.5 years. She took individual time with each of her 4 children when she knew they needed it, counseling and praying with them to navigate life’s trials.
Being a devout Christian, she faithfully raised her family to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. It was during this time that her mission was born; to love others and spread the true message of the Gospel with friends, family, and her entire community. She honored God in this mission by always taking the opportunity to listen, pray, and guide others to Christ. Sylvia taught Sunday School as well as teaching and hosting The Good News Club for the neighborhood children.
Sylvia was also a philanthropist, hosting fundraising carnivals in her home, organizing charity dinners and many other events. She would get the neighborhood kids involved in her work during the summer months to teach them Jesus’ heart and keep them out of trouble. She was recognized in her church for her efforts to aid battered women in Africa. And one of the key recipients of her endeavors was The Brent Collete Auxiliary, helping Brent to get his needed kidney transplant.
Sylvia left her family with many treasured memories and traditions. She was a phenomenal cook and abundantly generous. Her kitchen was always full, and plates were never empty. Some of her specialties included a flank steak marinade recipe that she got straight from the butcher himself, potato salad, fried chicken, and “garbage soup.”
Holidays were always a big to-do in the Norman house. Every Christmas Sylvia would bake a cake that the gra
ndkids could decorate. The whole family would join in singing the Birthday Song to Jesus while the kids blew out the candles. Good Friday and Easter, being her favorite holidays, she would throw an annual Resurrection feast and egg hunt. Her heart was so gracious that, even when there was only one grandkid young enough to participate, she always made it happen. In her later years she would come to the porch and smile as she watched her great grandbabies continuing the traditions at their Coupeville residence.
In God’s perfect timing she passed on Easter morning, April 17, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. A day that represents her salvation, she felt blessed to be called home to celebrate with our Resurrected King. She was preceded in going to be with Jesus by her beloved husband, her father and mother, and twin great grandbabies Gabriel and William Bowman. She is survived by her sister Arlene (Gauntlett) Kuhns, her children, David Norman, Sharon (Norman) Carter, Renee (Norman) Kisch, Diane (Norman) Foster, 12 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. She lived her life faithfully to God. She was a beloved and true Proverbs 31 wife, mother, and friend. We will see her again soon!
“Her children arise and call her blessed.” – Proverbs 31:28
Being a devout Christian, she faithfully raised her family to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. It was during this time that her mission was born; to love others and spread the true message of the Gospel with friends, family, and her entire community. She honored God in this mission by always taking the opportunity to listen, pray, and guide others to Christ. Sylvia taught Sunday School as well as teaching and hosting The Good News Club for the neighborhood children.
Sylvia was also a philanthropist, hosting fundraising carnivals in her home, organizing charity dinners and many other events. She would get the neighborhood kids involved in her work during the summer months to teach them Jesus’ heart and keep them out of trouble. She was recognized in her church for her efforts to aid battered women in Africa. And one of the key recipients of her endeavors was The Brent Collete Auxiliary, helping Brent to get his needed kidney transplant.
Sylvia left her family with many treasured memories and traditions. She was a phenomenal cook and abundantly generous. Her kitchen was always full, and plates were never empty. Some of her specialties included a flank steak marinade recipe that she got straight from the butcher himself, potato salad, fried chicken, and “garbage soup.”
Holidays were always a big to-do in the Norman house. Every Christmas Sylvia would bake a cake that the gra
ndkids could decorate. The whole family would join in singing the Birthday Song to Jesus while the kids blew out the candles. Good Friday and Easter, being her favorite holidays, she would throw an annual Resurrection feast and egg hunt. Her heart was so gracious that, even when there was only one grandkid young enough to participate, she always made it happen. In her later years she would come to the porch and smile as she watched her great grandbabies continuing the traditions at their Coupeville residence.
In God’s perfect timing she passed on Easter morning, April 17, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. A day that represents her salvation, she felt blessed to be called home to celebrate with our Resurrected King. She was preceded in going to be with Jesus by her beloved husband, her father and mother, and twin great grandbabies Gabriel and William Bowman. She is survived by her sister Arlene (Gauntlett) Kuhns, her children, David Norman, Sharon (Norman) Carter, Renee (Norman) Kisch, Diane (Norman) Foster, 12 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. She lived her life faithfully to God. She was a beloved and true Proverbs 31 wife, mother, and friend. We will see her again soon!
“Her children arise and call her blessed.” – Proverbs 31:28