Evangeline Lamb (Norris) McDermott Best

May 4, 1923 – April 8, 2016 

Evangeline was born to her parents, Raymond Leavitt Norris Sr. and Kate Bassett Lamb, joining two older brothers, Raymond Levitt Jr. and Elmer Joy on May 4, 1923 in Greeley, Colorado. She passed away peacefully at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington on April 8, 2016 at the age of 92. 

Several years ago she wrote the following reminiscence about her life:

There were many good family times with grandparents and aunts and uncles.  Thanksgiving was nearly always celebrated at Grandma and Grandpa Norris’ home. Christmas was always a wonderful time as it was spent with Granny and Grandpa Lamb on their farm on the Poudre River near Windsor, Colorado. 

In 1937, Daddy decided it was time to move the family. He had worked at McClelland and Norlin’s orchard for eight years and over time had seen Cowan & Ryan labels on the apple boxes that came through the warehouse. He wrote Mr. Cowan and explained his experience (no resumes in those days) and wondered if there would be work in Washington. Mr. Cowan replied saying that if he were ever in the area to look them up. Which he did in the summer of ’37 and was hired. That fall, at the age of 14, Mother, Elmer and I came to Wapato. Daddy worked for the Cowan & Ryan farm for nearly 28 years.

I graduated from Wapato High School in 1941 and attended Central Washington University one year on a music scholarship. After the United States joined WWII, I moved to Seattle, living with my brother, Ray and his wife, Jean. I worked at the Bus Terminal in Seattle, J.C. Penny’s and then Boeing for 5 years. I met Michael McDermott in the summer of 1942 and we were married April 26, 1943. To that union Merrilee, Jerry, Joseph, Susan Anne and John were added to the family. Mike died of a heart attack February 5, 1972. By then I had had my real estate license for three years and was able to support the three younger children. I retired from real estate after almost 30 years in 1999 at the age of 75. 

I was an active member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shoreline, Washington. I sang in the choir, was president of our guild, and a lector in later years. I was also involved with the Ke-Harbor Chapter of ABWA. Through that association, I made many fast friends and was able to do some traveling while attending National Conventions and Spring conferences. In 1984 I attended the convention in Detroit, Michigan, where I learned a good lesson. Never buy more than you can carry in one hand or one bag!

There were several high school class reunions over the years where friendships were reestablished. Francis Best had been my high school sweetheart. After the death of his wife of 50 years, he looked me up and we were married July 7, 1998.

Yakima Valley beckoned once again and we moved back to the sunshine in October of 2000. There I was active in the Holy Family Parish, singing in the Resurrection Choir as well as at the 9 o’clock mass. On the board of the Valley Estates Community Association, I cared for the swimming pool for two years as I felt it is one of the community’s greatest assets. 

As you’ve guessed, my first love was my family then singing, sewing, reading and swimming. Preceded in death by my brother, Ray, who was killed April, 1944 in WWII, husband, Mike, in 1972, father in 1975 and mother in 1977. In July of 1987 son, Jerry and his young son, Damian, were killed by a drunk driver. As a faithful member of the Snohomish Chapter of MADD until 1998, I spoke at many schools and attended many Safety Fairs to promote safe driving and create an awareness of the dangers of Drunk Driving.

(After the passing of her second husband, Francis Best, in October of 2007, “Vangie” moved to the Tri-Cities area. She spent her remaining years living with my family until 2013 before moving to From the Heart Adult Family Home. –Sue Flatau) 

Funeral Service

Wednesday, April 13, 2016 3:00 p.m.

Country Christian Center

5500 West Sagemoor Road

Pasco, WA 99301

Meal to follow service in the Fellowship Hall

Graveside Service

Saturday, April 16, 2016 1:30 p.m.

Holyrood Catholic Cemetery 

205 NE 205th Street 

Seattle, WA 98155

Reception following Graveside Service, details to be determined