Norma Jean Sanders

July 28, 1940 — September 11, 2021

Norma Jean Sanders passed away peacefully Sept. 11, 2021, at the age of 81, in Anacortes, Wash. 

Norma Jean is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Sanders-Eskildsen and her husband Kurt, of Oak Harbor, Wash.; her stepdaughters Kathy Pattison of Troutdale, Ore. and Susan Sanders-Galvin and her husband Dennis, of Point Of Rocks, Md.; her grandchildren Justin L. Truex, Casey A. Eskildsen, Oliver J. Pattison, April N. Shepherd, Jeremy Galvin, Timothy Galvin, Dana Brandwin and her husband Josh, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Norma will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her family and numerous friends. 

She called Whidbey Island, Washington “home” for 41 years. 

Norma Jean was born in Concord, Calif., July 28, 1940, to Norman and Ruth (Smith) Matney, who precede her in death. She graduated from Lodi High School in Lodi Calif., and went on to pursue an Associate Degree for Medical Assistant in San Francisco, Ca. In 1962, she met the love of her life, Harold Sanders, who married her in Lodi, before preceding her in death in 1999.

Upon her husband being stationed at Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Norma managed the Navy Exchange Package Store.

She made many memories with friends on camping and hiking adventures, as well as many motorcycle excursions with her beloved Harold. She was a very independent, adventurous, honest, caring, and free-spirited person. She loved her family, her church. 

She was very passionate about the environment, wildlife, and bird watching. 

Norma was an accomplished artist and loved gardening in years past. 

Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 25 at Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home in Oak Harbor. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., with a funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. Pastor Lemuel Villano will officiate. Interment will immediately follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to USVetConnect.com.