Norma Louise Mantyla

Norma Louise Mantyla (née Wilson), aged 84, entered her eternal rest on September 1, 2022, after a brief struggle with ovarian cancer.

She was born in Los Angeles, California on October 7, 1937, to Charles and Lela Wilson. She grew up in Los Angeles until her family moved to San Bernardino when she was in the 9th grade. After graduating from San Bernardino High School, she attended U.C. Riverside, earning a bachelor's degree in the liberal arts in 1959.

After university, she took a job with the I.R.S. in San Francisco where her younger siblings enjoyed visiting her and exploring San Francisco.

Norma left the I.R.S. after a couple of years and moved to San Diego, where she eventually landed a computer programming job with the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. It was there that a couple introduced Norma to her future husband, Arnold Mantyla. After a brief engagement, they were married in 1965. They would go on to enjoy 56 years of marriage.

Arnold and Norma welcomed their son Paul in 1967 and their daughter Linda in 1968. In 1970, the family moved to Cardiff by the Sea, where they lived for 37 years.

Working at Scripps allowed Norma to work on research vessels all over the world. One of her favorite trips involved a brief stay in Tahiti; she said it was like being in paradise. Scripps also allowed her to work part-time as she raised her children. Her career with Scripps spanned 25 years.

After retiring from Scripps she worked at H&R Block for 20 years where she was proud of having qualified as an Enrolled Agent with the IRS, the highest credential the IRS awards.

In 2008, she and Arnold moved into the Carlsbad by the Sea Retirement Community. She loved it there and, at various times, served on the Resident Council, the Dining Committee, and the Chapel Committee.

In her free time, she enjoyed bird watching, painting, sewing, knitting, swimming, traveling, and cooking. She loved animals and had several cats and dogs over the years. And she especially loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt. She would do everything she could for her children to help them become successful and happy adults. A friend once told her, "You know, Norma, the world would be a much better place if there were more people like you."

She was a devoted Christian all her life. She was a long-time member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Encinitas. Later, she worshiped at St. Michael's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Carlsbad.

She was preceded in death by her brother George, husband Arnold, and daughter Linda. She is survived by sisters Helen and Mary, son Paul (Laura), grandchildren Rachel and Jake, niece Julie (Brian), and nephews Todd and Jeff.

Her family would like to thank her caretaker Joanna, the staff at Carlsbad by the Sea, and Hospice of the North Coast for their loving care of Norma during her final months.

A memorial service will be held at St. Michael's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church (2775 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008, 760-729-8901) on Saturday, November 19th at 10 A.M. Contact memorial@paulm.org for more information.