Norma Jean Brestel was born August 25, 1932, in Caldwell, Ohio, to parents Joseph and Martha Briggs and passed away August 2, 2023, Mercer Island, Washington at the age of 90. She grew up in the Cincinnati suburb of North College Hill. She married high school sweetheart Pliny C. Brestel in 1952 and lived in Middletown, Ohio.

In 1967 they moved to the Seattle area where Pliny started working for Boeing. In 1968 they settled on Mercer Island where they remained for the rest of their lives. They raised 3 children, Karen, Perry, and Susan. Norma worked various jobs in customer service, including Sears and Richardson and Holland. Norma was active in Mercer Island Covenant Church (now Encounter Church), and Daughters of the Nile.

They enjoyed square dancing, camping, music and theater, and spent several winters as snowbirds to Arizona. Norma was an avid gardener and her yard was always full of beautiful flowers. She enjoyed playing bridge and was a gracious hostess and wonderful cook. She loved opening her home to people and filling them with good food. They moved to Covenant Living at the Shores retirement community on Mercer Island in 2004.

She was an active participant in many activities there and in the community. She was predeceased by her husband Pliny and daughter Karen, and survived by son Perry of Silverdale, daughter Susan of Seattle, and several grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Donations in her memory may be made to Covenant Living at the Shores Benevolent Fund. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Encounter Church, 3200 78th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040.