Norma Sulis Hull of Port Townsend died suddenly Oct. 23, 2020, of a cerebral aneurysm at Jefferson Healthcare. She was comfortable, safe and loved.
Norma was born April 21, 1923, in Omak, Washington to Elmer and Lena Smith. She had five older sisters and one brother. She grew up in a big house on the Okanagan River. Norma loved to talk about those early years swimming in the river in the summer, ice skating in the winter and other activities. Her sisters and her brother were the loves of her life.
In 1941, she married Bud Palmanteer and gave birth to her first-born son Gale Allen in 1942.
In 1949, she met and married Charles Nicholas Sulis and they made their home in Port Townsend. They owned and operated the Crown Zellerbach Cafeteria until 1978. During these years they had a daughter Seina Rae born in 1953, and a second daughter Jeinell Kay born in 1956. Norma enjoyed golfing and became the club champion of Chevy Chase in 1969. She was a member of an all-women’s Investment Club and Key City Chapter No. 71 Order of Eastern Star and enjoyed entertaining, bridge parties, cocktail parties and holiday gatherings. She spent many years working at Daubie’s dress shop and was always grateful for the relationship she had with the Daubenberger family and the rest of the staff.
In 1988, Nick and Norma sold their home, packed up their motor home and set off on many wonderful adventures to Arizona, Mexico and Eastern Washington, which was always home to her. They would load up their grandchildren and take them on camping trips. Norma shared her love of the outdoors, camping, hiking and bon fires with her grandchildren. Later, when she got tired of “moving something to find something else,” they sold their motorhome and bought Norma’s dream house in Conconully, Washington. There she made new friends, loved walking in the hills and was happy being home.
In 1997 Nick died suddenly at the age of 74. In May, 2000, Norma married her brother-in-law Douglas Hull. Doug was the widower of Norma’s beloved sister Vera. They enjoyed many years of companionship, shared memories and love for their joined families. They sold the home in Conconully and moved into Omak. They would often tell the family that they were “blessed.” In 2016, Doug died at the age of 96.
In January, 2017, Norma decided to move back to Port Townsend, Washington where her 2 daughters Seina and Jeinell live. This allowed her to spend valuable time with her daughters, her grandchildren and to form a lasting relationship with her great-granddaughters.
During her last years in Port Townsend she made new friends at the Avamere retirement facility, enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and sharing memories on her many drives around Port Townsend.
Norma was 97 years old when she died. She lived life to the fullest until she died, always taking great pride in her appearance and her memories.
Norma is survived by son Gale Allen Palmanteer (Kandis) of Kettle Falls; daughters Seina Rae Swindler and Jeinell Harper (Keith) of Port Townsend; stepson Ben Hull (Sheila) of Wenatchee, five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.
No service has been planned at this time.
