1945
2020
JULIA LEE NORTON
June 12, 1945 ˜ August 7, 2020
Julia Lee Norton passed away quietly surrounded by family and love on Aug. 7, 2020 in Vancouver, WA at the age of 75. She was born June 12, 1945 to Ted and Mildred Wright in Seattle, WA.
Later she became a big sister to her twin sisters, Beth and Bonnie. She graduated from Hudson’s Bay High School in Vancouver in 1963 with high honors and married her junior high sweetheart, LeRoy Bohna in 1965.
She raised her sons, Mike and Tim Bohna in Brush Prairie, WA and also went on a family adventure to Dutch Harbor, AK in 1978. There she remained until 1985 working as a bookkeeper for a seafood company.
Julia met and married the love of her life, Robert Norton in 1983. After he retired, they moved back to Brush Prairie where she lived until 2019 when she then moved to Battle Ground, WA until her death.
Julia (Julie) has worked as a bookkeeper/accountant/secretary for many different companies, including the Clark County Planning Commission, VA Hospital, Benchmarks and the “B” Mart, all located in Clark County, as well as Sea Alaska Seafoods, Unalaska Public Health Office and the Unisea Inn (Universal Seafoods), all while she resided in Alaska.
Julie had a wide variety of interests and hobbies including spending time with her family and friends, traveling in the US and abroad, reading, bird watching, the arts, music (she was an accomplished pianist), sewing, gardening and flowers (unfortunately the deer ate a large portion of her hard work), doing crossword puzzles and learning in general. She portrayed Mrs. Julia Grant for the Fort Vancouver Historical Society for many years (those Julias stick together!). She got her associates degree from Clark College in 1993. She was also a Cub Scout Den Mother, bless her heart. She was a very loving and wonderful mother to her two boys as well as a loving and caring wife.
She is survived by her two sons, Mike Bohna (Lizzeth) of Amboy, WA and Tim Bohna (Jennibeth) of Yacolt, WA. Her sisters, Beth Woodward and Bonnie Steenblock (Marlin) both of Vancouver. She has five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren with a third on the way!
She was preceded in death by her husband of 20 years, Robert Norton; mother, Mildred Wright Burnett; father, Ted Wright; stepfather, Lowell Burnett; and niece, Christie Edington.
Her memorial service will be held Aug. 21, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Unfortunately, due to the current global pandemic, it will only be for immediate family members. However, it will be available to be viewed online live and accessible through Evergreen Memorial Garden’s website for 90 days after the service. Please contact her son, Mike Bohna for details.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name can be made to PeaceHealth Hospice, 5400 MacArther Blvd., Vancouver WA 98661 or to the Humane Society of SW WA, 1100 NE 192nd Ave., Vancouver, WA 98684.
Julie was a warm, kind and generous soul that will be sorely missed by all that knew her.
Please feel free to sign her guest book at www.evergreenmemorialgardens.com/obituaries or share a memory @ www.columbian.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Julia was the best big sister that I was privileged to have. She was an amazing listener with the biggest heart. She was so full of life, always on the go, but she did like her quiet days too. She was the life of the party. Doing everything for everybody. She made sure everyone was having a good time. There was never a bad time with her. She liked the plays and travel but liked to come home and dig in the dirt. She was the only girls in the whole big family that could wear a turtle neck sweater. She was always a fashion statement, especially in her fuzzy hot pink jacket. She loved that jacket. I will love you forever, your sister Bonnie
Bonnie
Sister
August 18, 2020
You will always be in our hearts my dearest Julie. A marvelous and exceptional woman with my great qualities and a huge heart. This was my mother-in-law. I give thanks to this life for having the opportunity to get to know you and to have had you as my mother-in-law. Please forgive me for not being able to be at your side to say goodbye
I will always remember you with lots of love and affection.
Love your daughter-in-law, Lizzeth
Lizzeth Bohna
Family
August 18, 2020
To my darling friend, Julie
We had such fun playing our Clark County historical characters in so many places. I remember speaking to one women's group, and before we went on I asked you what you planned to say. Not missing a beat, you said you were going to,"Open your mouth and hope something coherent comes out." And of course it did. It was always a treat for me to be with you for parades and especially the cemetery tours
We visited the Oregon Art Museum many times over the years and once saw famous designer evening wear. Another time we walked in awe around a special exhibit of ancient Chinese war paraphernalia; metal war bonnets, horse armor, war coats stitched intricate scenes of battles and such
After our strolls through culture we would visit the museum's fine gift shop, have a little nosh and buy trinkets for friends and family. What joy we shared, dearest friend. Lunches, buying expiditions.
I'm mourning our friendship: books, plays, Oscar nights, do nner with President Grant at the Quay. Poor Bob Lott was so flustered when you cried.
What a lovely friendship we had, Deary. Best wishes in your new adventure Break a leg, Sweety Always, Cecelia
Cecelia Colson
Friend
August 16, 2020
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