Norma Gayle Abell

Norma Gayle Abell went home peacefully to be with her Lord on July 13th, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral Services will be conducted 1:30 Friday, July 24, 2015 at Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel in Sandpoint, Idaho. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Norma was born on Nov. 21, 1948 to LeRoy and Esther Wright in Stockton, CA. She grew up in the San Jose, Santa Cruz area of California. She later moved to Washington State. Norma’s dream was to work with children. She taught preschool and graduated from Lower Columbia College in Longview, Washington. In 1983 she married Phillip Abell and they moved to Sandpoint, Idaho to start their life together, created a blended family of 5 children. To fulfill her dream she started attending college in Coeur ‘d Alene, Idaho earning an education degree from the University of Idaho. Norma completed her student teaching in the Bonner County School District before beginning her teaching career at Hope Elementary School. She taught 3rd and 6th grade, and was a very gifted teacher and writer. She created the STARS program in Hope where senior citizens volunteered their time to help young student learn to read. Norma taught with her heart, “If you let a child know you care, they will do absolutely anything for you.” Norma was the teacher of the month and in 1998/1999 teacher of the year. She also started the Hope Elementary school’s character program called, “Eight Keys to a Better Me.” “In my own classroom I have felt that there is a need to learn the basic values and character traits.” Norma left teaching in Bonner County in order to take care of her mother and disabled brother on the Washington coast. There she was a substitute teacher and taught classes at the Naselle youth camp. Norma is a member of the Pacific Bible Church in Ilwaco, WA and served in leadership until her illness. This spring she moved back to Sandpoint, Idaho to be close to family members. She lived her life with a smile always on her face. She often said, “The joy of the Lord was her strength.” She made everything she did fun, “always move forward and don’t look back.” She loved to read, write, snow ski, camping, fishing, water skiing, boating, gardening, travel, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved people and loved helping others whenever possible. Norma is survived by her husband Phillip Abell, her daughter: Amberin Spring of Sandpoint, ID; sons: Kevin Harvey of Scottsdale, AZ, Aaron Harvey of Ontario, CA; mother: Esther Corasaw of Sandpoint, ID; brothers: Marion Wright of Palm Springs, Roland Wright of CA; her sister Vange Lowe of Longview, WA; extended family: Janelle Cox of Columbus, IN, Don Abell of Centralia, WA; 15 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father and her brother, Gary Wright. Family and friends are invited to sign Norma’s online guestbook at www.coffeltfuneral.com. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.