Wanda May Norris

Wanda was born in Hoffman, Oklahoma on April 12, 1920 and passed peacefully on December 31, 2014 in Kent, Washington at the age of 94. Around 1921, Wanda’s father, Frank C. Mead, made the decision to move his family to another state with more employment opportunities. The family began their journey across the country from Oklahoma to Washington State and settled in eastern Washington. Later in her adult life Wanda moved to the Sumner/Puyallup area to be closer to her family. Wanda was a woman of many talents, but above all, when it came to being resourceful, she was an expert. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t tackle. She had an eye for detail and could transform something from nothing whether it be sewing, cooking, woodworking, even household or auto repairs. When it came to a project, she had the “glass half full” attitude; quietly confident, and always humble when talking about her talents. Wanda’s occupations were as diverse as her life and included homemaker, caregiver, seamstress, employment at the Boeing Company, and also worked and cooked for both the farming community and Othello School District. Wanda was devoted to her family and was always willing to help. She is survived by one sister, Nadine Murdock, numerous nieces and nephews, her five children and their families, Wanda Faye Haley, Kathryn Burnside (Lanny), Ronald Mejiano (Sandy), Robert Mejiano (Debbie), and Linda Gillett (David). Wanda had 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. Wanda will always be loved, appreciated, and missed deeply.