Norma M. VENTRIS

04/05/1923 - 08/01/2015

VENTRIS, Norma M. Norma Ventris passed away peacefully August 1st at the home of her daughter Karyne In Chatsworth, California. She was born in Sanborn, North Dakota in 1923. At 18, she moved to Spokane where she lived for the rest of her life. Norma was a loving wife and mother who guided her family with her wit and good humor. She was a tireless supporter of Spokane and Spokane Valley. She worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Superintendent of the West Valley School District for many years before moving on to the Spokane Community College where she worked for 20 years. She and her husband Tom then opened Ventris Candy and Caramel Corn where she earned the Merchant of the Year Award At the University City Mall three years in a row. Norma's List of honors and awards include the YMCA Leadership Award, the first female Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce President, the first female President of the Spokane Valley Rotary and recipient of the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award. She participated on a number of Boards including the West Valley Schools for 12 years, United Way, Lilac Festival, Valley Hospital, Valley Hospital Foundation and Valley Arts Commission. Norma helped raise funds for the Spokane Arena and was instrumental in the creation of the Centennial Trail and she was actively involved in the Mirabeau Point Project. While accomplishing all of this, she found time for her family and friends with good humor and support. Norma was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Tom Ventris, brother Eugene Sauer, sisters Doris Takami and Imogene Schumacher and stepdaughter Elizabeth Cruz. She is survived by sisters Alyce Garcia, Sharon McGowan, brother Leroy Sauer, children James Ventris, Karyne Ventris, stepson Thomas Ventris Jr., grandchildren Carrie Anne Troy, Cheyenne Romanini, Landi Zontelli and eight great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held the evening of September 9 at 5:30 at The Spokane Valley Center Place Regional Event Center. All are welcome to attend. Memorials may be donated to Spokane Valley Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 14192, Spokane, WA 99214.