Obituary of Normalea Stevenson Williams

Normalea Stevenson Williams, 84, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2013. She was the only child of parents Thomas and Melba Stevenson. Born and raised in what was then the small town of Visalia, California, she was surrounded by family and friends with whom she remained in contact her whole life. During World War II, she and her mother joined her father who was stationed as an officer in Alaska. Although the purpose of this mission was serious, Normalea had fond memories as one of just a few attractive, young women amidst a base full of young men in the remote outpost. After the family's return home, she became an operator for the telephone company in Tulare County. For several summers, she accepted assignments to work as an operator in Lake Tahoe, at that time slightly more than a mountain campground. In the 1950's, she transferred to the Santa Cruz telephone office, becoming an operator supervisor. During this time, she met her future husband, Russell Williams, marrying in 1962. They shared 36 years together, enjoying family and friends, their interest in the telephone company, traveling (including excursions on Russell's fishing boat) and church. Normalea was an avid reader and loved movies and musicals. Her memory was truly phenomenal and she could always be relied upon to remember facts about history, family, movies and actors, books, geography and current events, which will be sorely missed by us all. One of her greatest enjoyments was traveling, leading to many trips throughout the USA, Europe, Mexico and Canada. She never missed a reunion of her classmates from high school in Visalia and she was very involved with the Pioneers, the Pacific Bell retirement club. Until her health prevented it, she swam regularly. She was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Community in Capitola, participating in faith sharing groups and entertaining residents of several local convalescent hospitals. She is survived by adopted son, Ronald (Jeanne) Williams, stepdaughter Kathleen (Lee) Mitchell, granddaughters Ronda Williams, Melissa (Francisco) Ruelas, Taylor Williams and grandsons Lawrence (Anna) Mitchell, Lance (Keira) Mitchell, Michael Montagna, Scott Montagna and great-grandchildren Timothy Barnes, Natasha Mulholland, Ross Mitchell and Lucas Mitchell. She was preceded in death by her husband Russell, both of her parents and her step-daughter Cynthia Montagna. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Community in Capitola on Friday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m. followed by graveside services at Holy Cross Cemetery, 2271 7th Ave., Santa Cruz. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Community, 435 Monterey Ave., Capitola, CA 95010 or the Salvation Army, 721 Laurel St Santa Cruz, CA 95060.