Norma Mitchell

On February 18, 2014, our family said goodbye to our wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and love, Norma Louise Tarpley Mitchell. Born in Maryville, Missouri, in June of 1924 to Carl and Mae Tarpley, she left Missouri in 1946 for California to join her future husband of 59 years, Ralph T. Mitchell, a native Californian who she met when the Navy stationed him in Maryville during WWII. Norma loved California and except for a three year stint in Denver, Colorado, Norma and Ralph lived in Downey, California and also spent 26 years on the San Francisco Peninsula. Norma loved antiques. She and Ralph loved to rejuvenate distressed homes on the Peninsula. They retired to Corral de Tierra in 1985. In 2007, after Ralph's passing, Norma moved to the Park Lane where she caught the eye of John Edward "Ed" Laughton and they remained loving companions until her death. Norma was the loving sister of Harold Tarpley of Chanute, Kansas, the devoted mother of Julie Raithel (Chris) and Lisa Fendler (Brad); the adoring grandmother of Marnye Bodenshot (Jon), Graham Raithel, Morgan Vilkin (Graham), and Nicholas Fendler (Chandler); and the proud great-grand mother of Jake, Lucas, and Dane Bodenshot. Blessed with an abundance of great friends and a feisty and adventurous spirit, Norma travelled the world, was an avid reader, a family historian, a fierce bridge competitor, an artist and musician, an elegant hostess, a lover of chocolate, and a self-taught chef (her Lefse was a family holiday tradition). In her younger years, she enjoyed the links at both Peninsula Golf and Country Club in San Mateo, California, and Corral de Tierra Country Club. Norma donated her time to the Stanford Convalescent Hospital, the Steinbeck Museum, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. At the Park Lane, where she served as the resident's board president, Norma and Ed were instrumental in developing a scholarship program for staff members via the launching of the "The Cellar Store", a convenience store for the residents and staff at the Park Lane. A celebration of Norma's life will be held on March 15, at the Vista Lounge, on the 7th floor at the Park Lane, at 4:00 pm. Ed and Norma's family would like to thank Deena, Damaris, LuLu, Eleanor, Maya, Saltana and all of her care givers from Central Coast Senior Services, Hospice of the Central Coast, and her Park Lane friends for taking such good care of our "Mimi". We will miss her dearly. The family has requested donations in her name, in lieu of flowers, to Hospice of the Central Coast.