They say life is a journey. After a protracted debate with Father Time, in which she nearly triumphed, Norma Hanratty finally threw in the towel at the extraordinary age of 96 and agreed to move on to the next level of her existence. A devout Catholic, Norma should enjoy a prime spot in Heaven. Norma was born in Butte Montana on February 17, 1922 to William and Aline Gilfeather. The second of 5 children, she was predeceased by: Raymond, her husband of 35 years who passed away in 1978, her parents and step-father, Michael Carrig, older brother Bill and sisters, Lorraine Neumann and Lois Harper. She is survived by her baby brother Dan (Wendy), her 3 sons: Raymond, Dick (Maryann) and Joe (Yvonne), 6 grandchildren: Elisabeth Mountainspring (Orion and mother of Great Grandson Wyatt), Rebecca, Derrick (Christine and Great Granddaughter Hayden), Bradley (Amanda), Russell (Vanessa) and Andrew.
Norma led a long, full life and enjoyed travel, cruises, Reno excursions with sister-in-law Marge, new experiences (like riding her own motorcycle or piloting Dick’s Cessna), birthdays on the road with Joe, riding in “her baby” Miata with the top down, and helping others in their time of need, not to mention her years as a Boeing employee.
We are especially grateful to the staff of Aldercrest in Edmonds for their excellent care of Norma in her final years and as she made the transition to her eternal reward.
Norma will be missed by her many friends and relations. Her life was a great journey. We should all be so lucky.
There will be a Requiem Mass at noon on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at St. Mary of the Valley Catholic Church, 601 West Columbia Street, Monroe, WA 98272, immediately followed by interment at Holyrood Cemetery, 205 NE 205th Street, Shoreline, WA 98155