Allie Youngs Norton

July 14, 1916 to November 10, 2018

Allie Y. Norton passed away on November 10, 2018 at the age of 102. She was born in Washington, D.C. to parents Annie Youngs Beach and Samuel Hovey Beach. After a few years living in Maryland, the family returned to its original home in California where Allie spent most of the rest of her life. She grew up primarily in Sebastopol, Lakeport and Berkeley, in northern California.

Allie was an active, strong, and very capable person who overcame many obstacles to lead a successful and independent life. For many years, she worked as an office manger and accountant for a real estate development firm in Concord, CA, also making a number of successful investments of her own. After retirement, she lived in various towns in northern California, before returning to Berkeley where she remained, living independently in her own home until her 100th birthday. Allie’s final two years were spent in the Raksha Care Home in Albany. The family extends considerable appreciation for the caring and professional care Allie received there.

In retirement, Allie volunteered in several Berkeley organizations, with emphasis on the Berkeley Public Library mending department, and the League of Women Voters for which she tackled many tasks over several years. She remembered fondly her involvement with both organizations. Also, she enjoyed a wide range of activities, including taking Elderhostel and river rafting trips, riding and caring for her horse, Marty, and attending many musicals.

Allie had a unique personality. She was unassuming and down-to-earth, but also spoke frankly and directly on topics of concern to her. She had a wonderful sense of humor, particularly for the somewhat bizarre and offbeat. Her willingness to provide an unvarnished image of her past challenges provided a most worthy role model. She was frugal in her own life, but extremely generous to family and friends in need of help, quietly making contributions with no thought of return. She strongly supported independent women in small businesses, including, in her later years, a small group of younger women for physical exercise, massages, facials and home maintenance help. They became an important part of her “support group” which helped her remain at home as long as possible. A wise lady.

She is survived by her niece and nephew, Barbara Beach Floyd (Doug), and Gordon Linforth Beach (Greer), in addition to grand nieces and nephews, Ches Floyd, Emily Floyd, Mark Beach and Jennifer Beach Tucker, and their children. Allie was also close to her Youngs family cousins, Marjorie Nelson, Ann Herr, and Helen Steadman, and their children. We will always remember her with appreciation, and great respect.