Obituary

Noma E. Winchester left this world the morning of July 4, 2015 in Bellingham Washington. Born to Howard and Marion Benjamin (Steik-Neilson) April 26, 1947 in Wrangell, Alaska, Noma moved to Blaine, Washington where she met her lifetime love, Glen Winchester. Glen and Noma were wed February 12, 1966 in Blaine and lived there until moving to Ferndale and eventually Bellingham where they had currently resided.

Noma was active in church, school, her family, as well as in her community. Whether it was scouting, the Scottish Highland Games, or working as a Para-Educator in the schools, Noma was always giving to those near her. Always working with children, Noma felt every child deserved love and compassion. A place where they belonged. While running the local church youth group, Noma and Glen “adopted” many children who were otherwise ignored and lost. Bringing them into their home, she taught them what family was, what love was, and how to be better people.

She continued her giving and loving acceptance through running and organizing the Bellingham Scottish Highland Games for the last two decades where she gained many more “adopted”children and grandchildren. Noma’s involvement in her community gained a large family of those around her whom she loved and whom she left behind. We will miss her smile, her warmth, and her unconditional love.

Noma was proceeded in death by her son Jesse, mother Marion and father Howard, brother Alvin, and her grandsons Jesse and Jordan. She is home with them waiting for us to join her.

Noma is survived by her devoted husband Glen, her children; Jeremiah, Jered (Stacy), and Joshua, sister Melodi, brothers; Howard and Robert, grandchildren; Coty, Tren, Savannah, Zach, Nathan, Lindsay, Tyler, Justin, and Kelsea, her great grandchild Ashlynn, and many many many other “adopted” children and grandchildren that she accepted and loved as if they were her own, because they were.

Services will be held July 16, 2015 at Cornwall Church (4518 Northwest Dr, Bellingham, WA 98226) at 3:00pm with a celebration of life following in the covered pavilion at Hovander Park (5299 Nielson Ave, Ferndale, WA 98248) at 5:00pm.

Noma will be interned at Greenacres Memorial Park (5700 Northwest Dr Ferndale, WA) at a later date.

Please send donations in Noma’s memory to
Noma Winchester memorial Fund c/o BHGA PO Box 1477
Bellingham, Washington 98227

Donations received will be used to continue her legacy of giving to children, community, and culture.