Norma Cahill

Norma Cahill Norma Cahill, beloved matriarch of the family, passed away January 14, 2013. The greatest love of her life, Bill Cahill, passed away on October 18, 2012. Bill and Norma were married November 11, 1942, on Norma's 20th birthday and were married for over 70 years. Born in 1921, in Cranbrook, British Columbia, Norma was one of four children born to John & Paula McMeekin. She moved to Oakville, Washington as a young girl. Stories of growing up in the Garrard Creek Valley have entertained her children and grandchildren for years. Norma ran a trap line, hunted, peeled cascara bark, fished and lived off the land. This was the family way of life. The kids never knew they were poor. Norma was an avid deer hunter, taking pride that her mounted rack was the biggest of all. (She especially liked knocking Bill off the Olympia Brewery buck board). Her passion for art and the outdoors has been passed on to many family members and friends. Hundreds of her paintings are proudly displayed in homes and offices. She was honored when the Olympia Brewery used one of her paintings on the cover of "Its The Water" magazine. Norma was also a gifted writer and poet. Writing and rhyming seemed effortless to her and she was never shy about writing letters to the editor. One of the family favorites was when she wrote a long poem about not being invited on a moose hunt with her husband and oldest son in Alaska. It's a Cahill classic. After working in retail sales at Sears and Millers in downtown Olympia, Norma took up real estate as a salesperson and later as a broker. It was not only a job she excelled at - it was one she loved. She was known for her ethical and sound practice and enjoyed her clients and co-workers. In addition to hunting and traveling she and Bill square danced for years in Olympia, where she would often take one of her food specialties, lemon meringue pie. No one made a better lemon meringue pie! She enjoyed the Olympia Old Car Club and especially enjoyed riding in Bill's 55 Chevy in the Lakefair and Oakville parades. Norma is survived by her brother, John McMeekin; sons, Jim and David; daughters-in law, MaryJo, Wanda & Susan; 6 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Norma was preceded in death by her brother, Danny; her sister, Betty and her oldest son, William R. Cahill. Norma lived a remarkable and full life and will be missed by those who love her. The family wishes to thank Mercedes Carbonel and her family who took such compassionate and tender care of both Bill and Norma in their final days. Funeral arrangements are being made by Funeral Alternatives. A graveside service will be held Monday, January 21 at 11:00 a.m. at Mills & Mills Cemetery Park in Tumwater.