Norma Jean Boren

Norma Jean (Ray) Boren passed away at home on the family farm on November 30, 2019. She was an April fool born in 1929 to Arthur and Bertha (Belcher) Ray. She is survived by daughters Ann Y. Parton of Camano Island and Janice Boren (Lee) Grose of Packwood, 4 Grandchildren; Jeremy Grose (Lindsay), Sarah Parton, Isaiah Grose (Holly), and Rachel Parton Gregory (Denny). There are also 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Her husband of 65 years, Earl Loyd Boren, and brothers Albert and Charles Ray preceded her in passing. She survived the great Depression, being stomped in the mud by a mare, and WWII hardships. All of which contributed to honing a strong work ethic and survival skills. Norma loved growing up in the Big Bottom Valley and viewing Mt. Adams from the Ray farm. Norma enjoyed driving school bus for the White Pass School District for 42 years. She valued education greatly and completed her AA degree in her fifties. Having grown up with Mary Kiona’s granddaughters, Norma completed many native baskets with help from Joyce Eyle and Hazel Pete. She learned how to do beadwork and make cradle boards and drums. She volunteered on archeological digs with her friend Judith Evans. Norma and Earl worked hard on the former Edlund Homestead farm, building over 2 miles of fence line, and raising a variety of animals and Hereford beef. They built a ranch house, a barn and numerous outbuildings. They also had the Boren Logging Co. and a meat cutting business. Norma canned produce from the large garden and orchard. Norma was quite the hunter and loved to dig clams with the Webber family. Norma and Earl were members of many community groups such as the Elks, the Moose, the Rockhound Club, the Garden Club, the Dance Club of Packwood, and the AmVets. Norma spent many years serving on the White Pass Scholarship Committee and sold the community calendar. She enjoyed playing pinochle with the Bill Wiester and Bonnie Owens families. Norma joined the Washington State Friendship Force Exchange program and visited many countries such as Korea, Finland, Russia, and Europe. We will miss her stories about the old days and her travels. The family would like to express our appreciation for the special visits and care given to Norma from her neighbors and her caregivers.

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