Nancy Norman

Early on the morning of January 3rd, after she was able to see Katie Wilson sworn in as Mayor of Seattle and see her dear friends return from vacation, Nancy Norman passed away at the age of 70 after a 2.5 year fight against breast cancer. As would be unsurprising to many of you, she lived her life fully and enthusiastically until the last possible moment, walking the U District Farmers Market, finding joy in tiny beautiful things, and spending quality time with those she loved.

Born in 1955 in Grand Forks, North Dakota and raised in Thompson, ND, Nancy Norman (née Galegher) was the fourth of seven children born to John and Helen Galegher. In her nearly 50 years in Seattle, she built a deep, beautiful community, but always held on to her family in North Dakota and to her roots on the prairie. Spending the first part of her career in corporate finance, she pivoted halfway through, committing the second half of her career to child advocacy, supporting the next generation of Washingtonians. As much as North Dakota would always be a home to her, she made one by the Puget Sound as well. Among the many things she loved, the highlights were a good cup of coffee or chai, a good beer, a walk in the park, a long book, or a good view.

Nancy was a person who loved to find beauty in the world anywhere she could, and loved to share it with those around her (if you never saw this elsewhere, you certainly saw it through her Facebook photos). Though she would certainly identify herself as an introvert, she loved her people deeply, and loved to be in the world with them. She cared deeply about the world around her – human, plant, animal, and everything around and in between. She cared deeply for her family, both blood and chosen, even in the moments when she was frustrated with us. She had a great memory for details and stories, and loved to hear them. She was extraordinarily generous, patient, and hardworking, and though she was always ready with an opinion and to debate if needed, she never expected you to be anyone but yourself.

Nancy is preceded in passing by her parents John and Helen, her infant sister Joanne, brothers-in-laws Mervin Adams and Louis Counter, and by dear friend and chosen family Jean Fukuda. She is survived by her daughter Halley Norman, her siblings Judith Adams, Jolene Galegher, Barbara Hatfield, Sheila Galegher, and John (Pamelyn) Galegher, and by the loving chosen family she built in her home in Seattle. Her memory and her values will live on in each of them.

Because Nancy was who she was, and valued what she valued, she'd want to see both her and your resources directed to creating as much positive change as possible. With that in mind, in lieu of flowers or the like, if you want to celebrate her memory, please make a donation to one of the following organizations:

Troublemakers (https://www.troublemakerscommunity.org/), fighting against racial capitalism, neocolonialism and the destruction of the earth Nancy so loved.
Friends of the Seattle Public Library (https://www.friendsofspl.org/), to ensure continued free access to the audio and print books Nancy loved, and promote literacy and other wrap-around services for all Seattleites.

In celebration of her life, her family will hold a memorial party at Merrill Hall at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle on March 28th, 11:30-3:30. A short program centered on storytelling about Nancy will take place 12:30-1:30. If you choose to attend, you are invited to come with a story about Nancy to share, or a Nancy photo or object (either one that belonged to her or one that you associate with her). Guests are encouraged to wear colors (particularly any you think Nancy would like), and to bring written memories of Nancy in addition to or in lieu of condolence cards. Each story is a gift, and helps to hold Nancy's memory for those she leaves behind.