Norma Betty Pearson passed away on Dec. 15, 2020, at Riverside Health & Rehabilitation in Missoula, Montana, where she had been a resident for almost a year. She was born July 17, 1927, in Buffalo, New York, and moved to McCleary, Washington, by way of Ozone, Arkansas. as a young woman. She spent the majority of her life in McCleary and came to Montana in early 2020 to be near her daughter, who assisted her in her final days.

Norma was a wonderful person who was very kind and caring to all those who knew her. She worked several years in McCleary as the town librarian and taught her children, along with many others, the joys of reading. But she was also a business woman who sold night crawlers and red wigglers to every fisherman west of the Mississippi. Later she was the owner of the Timbear Cafe which she successfully operated for many years. Before retiring, Norma worked as the head cook at the McCleary Grade School.

It’s been said that Norma, and people like her, formed the fabric of that community. In retirement, she remained active by walking, gardening, cooking and meeting for coffee with her group of friends until health problems became an issue. Norma found true community in McCleary.

She is survived by her son, Douglas (Lupita), Tepic, Mexico and her daughter, Terry (Ralph Johns), Missoula, Montana; sister, Mabel Karr, Tumwater, Washington; brother, Richard Jesse, Wichita, Kansas; grandson, Kent Johns, Missoula, Montana; and many nieces and nephews.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, K.M. and Martha (Ruland) Jesse; brother, Henry Jesse; sisters-in-law, Darlene Jesse and Enid Jesse; brother-in-law, Roy Karr; husbands, Robert Durard Pearson, Thomas LaBelle and LeRoy “Dutch” Pearson; and her beloved cat, Jesse.

Norma was loved by many and will be missed by all.

Rest in Peace Norma. You will always be in our hearts.