8.16.35 to 3.27.17

Norine Grace passed away at the age of 81 at home on Vashon Island. Born in Eagle Creek, OR, to Maxine Bollman & Lyle Sorensen, their 2nd child of 8, she grew up in Opportunity, WA, graduated Valley HS in 1953 and moved to Denver for her airline stewardess job at United. While flying the friendly skies, she married and had 2 children in Kirkland. After the divorce, she was a single Mom for several years without child support, working hard to make ends meet, while creating a family life filled with love and laughter at home. She was an outgoing friendly person with a strong desire to help others. She set a wonderful example for everyone in her life. With her intelligence and work ethic, she made herself a valuable employee: Genie Industries, Sound Elevator, and the Seattle Water Dept. She was a natural leader and independent thinker, which helped her excel at any task including in her volunteer work.

Norine and Bernie met in the late seventies and moved to Vashon Island 27 years ago.

They built a home by Dilworth Road, and both worked at the Seattle Water Department until retirement. They also created a dahlia flower business, selling the blooms to retail florists around Seattle four times a week. Their flower fields included 1400 plants, thousands of dahlias which Norine loved to share with Islanders.

Norine operated the Fruit Stand with Bernie in downtown Vashon including selling her dahlia bouquets. The work for her was a simple expression: her love of Vashon’s inclusive community, where you knew customers as neighbors and could call many of them friends.

She is survived by her husband, Bernie O’Malley; her son Todd Gyles and her daughter Nancy Gyles. Our thanks to all Norine’s many friends for their support and fun times through the years and for their outpouring of loving care during her cancer illness. May 28 12-2pm, please visit with us at her memorial bench at Point Robinson Lighthouse Beach. The bench faces North to the Straits of Juan de Fuca and South to Mt. Rainier. From her bench, she’s always in voyage to the distant worlds and galaxies.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances to any of her favorite charities: Vashon Senior Center, Vashon Youth and Family Services,

VIPP, Vashon Wilderness Program, Harbor School, Open Space Bust Out, or your favorite Democrat ��

Visit our online guestbook at www.islandfuneral.com.