Brenda Louise Norton of Seattle and Whidbey Island, was born in Beacon, New York on Aug. 26, 1953. She passed away quietly in her sleep on Nov. 27, 2018.

Her wife and partner of 25 years, Michele Lussier, was at her side. She is survived by her sister, two nieces, a grand-niece, cousins, and many, many dear friends.

Brenda’s rich life extended from Hartford, Connecticut to New York City and Jamaica, and, for many years, Seattle, where she made her final home.

It was a life defined by love.

She reveled in travel, reading, teaching adults to read, gardening, food, music, dancing, her dog Harley, and, most of all, her beloved wife, Michele, to whom she was devoted. Her smile warmed any room, her enthusiasm for fun, new experiences and joy was contagious, and she lived and breathed beauty, which was her essence. She was exquisite.

A gathering to celebrate Brenda is 1-4 p.m. Dec. 16, 2018 at UW Wisteria Hall in the Seattle Arboretum. Service begins at 1:30 p.m.

Donations in her name may be made to ProLiteracy, an organization dedicated to promoting literacy in adults, at https://proliteracy.org/Get-Involved/Ways-to-Give/Tribute-Gift.