Elayne Chennault

1939 - 2024

Elayne Chennault
October 14, 2024
The matriarch of our family, Elayne Chennault, passed away peacefully October 14, 2024, at home following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. She was 85.
She was born in Panguitch UT to William (Papa Jean) and Cleone (Grandma Toni) Lay Davis Norton. She had two older brothers John Dale and Garry Jean and two younger siblings Keith and Marlene.
She was raised in Murray UT. She later moved to Los Angeles to live and work, she married and had her two children, Julie Ann and Robert Gene. They were the loves of her life. She spent their childhood supporting them in everything they did. She was involved in the PTA, Bob's love of all sports and Julie's years in dance. She continued to support her children and their activities when they moved to Wenatchee in 1974 to be close to her sister Marlene and family and then her parents as well.
There was little Elayne could not do and she did everything to perfection. She learned to sew, knit, crochet and cross stitch. Her creations filled her loved ones' homes. She was an original Seahawks ticket holder, loved snowmobiling, casinos and was a superb golfer at Three Lakes. Once her kids were grown, she found a new love. She began traveling, for months at a time, and spent many years being a Snowbird in Mexico where she spent her days fishing for tuna and playing golf. She was close to her parents, and they traveled all through the country together.
Our mom loved meeting new people. She was one of those people who genuinely took an interest, listened to them and remembered all the details. In the last few years, she has come to know many caregivers and they all looked forward to seeing her each day. She inherited this gift from her mother.
The greatest joy in mom's life was becoming Grandma Layne. She went to their school activities, sat on hard benches watching softball and volleyball, braved the rain and cold ice rinks and spent hours watching dance practices and competitions. She prided herself on being the most loving and supportive grandmother she could be. Her grandchildren knew that they could trust and confide in her and that all their conversations stayed "in the vault". The icing on the cake was becoming GG (Great Grandma) All her grandkids added so much joy to her last months.
Elayne is survived by her children, Julie (Brian) Marker, Robert (Sylvia) Gilling; granddaughters, Sarah Gilling (Joshua Decena), Brianne Marker and grandson, Brigan (Kolbie) Marker; great grandsons, Bowie and Holden Marker; sister, Marlene (Jack) Smith; brother, Keith (Carolyn) Norton; and sister-in-law, Sharon Norton. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends that she considered family. She was especially close to Trudy Johnston who she loved as her extra daughter.
She was proceeded in death by her parents; and her brothers, Dale Norton and Garry (Dianne) Norton.
We are eternally grateful for all the love and support given to us by Dr. Gail Feinman, Stacy, Kelly and the Hospice team.
The Viewing will be held on October 31, 2024 at Jones & Jones- Betts Funeral Home in Wenatchee. Viewing will be at 10 a.m. and the service will start at 11 a.m.