Heidi Anne Norton

Heidi Anne (Gansen) Norton left us the morning of March 9, 2014. She was born June 22, 1971 in Thousand Oaks, Calif. to Carolyn Monthaven Gansen.

Heidi was always the free spirit pursuing her interests in plants, animals and the great outdoors. She graduated from Thousand Oaks High School and eventually attended Santa Barbara CC which was followed by Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, from which she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in botany.

Heidi worked for a time at Skagit Valley Community College and did field work in Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks. She was director of the Native Plant Nursery for The Catalina (Island) Conservancy during restoration work to recover from the huge 2007 fire on the island. For most of her brief life, she enjoyed the outdoors and her botany studies, mixing the two as she roved through nature, her long hair flowing. Heidi also did volunteer work for various community groups in Walla Walla.

Heidi was an unfailing “Deadhead” and through that association she acquired the nickname “Ramblin’ Rose.” But she loved many kinds of music and, given music, she couldn’t stop dancing.

Heidi met the love of her life while in the Whidbey/Anacortes area and married the man, Gary Norton, on a beautiful summer day, June 26, 2010, in a lovely vineyard just outside of Walla Walla. They enjoyed time away together when both worked on Catalina Island and they had a “great escape” to Baja California for a week. They shared a love of music, good food and many other things. Gary loved her and took excellent care of her through her illness.

In addition to Gary, Heidi is survived by her brothers, Chris Arnold and Don Arnold; her nieces, Symphony Arnold and Lorilyn Arnold; nephew, Cameron Arnold; aunt and uncle, Anne and Lynn Monthaven; and great-uncle Thomas Marlatt. All are grieving over the loss of her, much too soon. She leaves behind many friends spread across the entire country, not the least of whom is her high school friend of 25 years, Heather, who was her best friend to the end.

Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.