Geraldine May Norton

Geraldine (Geri) M. Norton passed away at her home in Santa Rosa on August 27th at the age of 90. She will be fondly remembered for her love of life, family and friends. Her wonderful sense of humor and willingness to embark on adventures entertained and inspired others. Born to Ruby and Lrae Malone in Hanford, CA on May 5, 1926, Geri welcomed a step father (Paul Drake) into her life in her early years. Geri attended schools in Hanford until her family moved to Petaluma in her junior year of high school. she graduated from Petaluma High School in 1944. She married Charles (Herb) Sovel upon his return from WW!!, and gave birth to their first son, Stephen, in 1946. Their second son, Richard, was born in 1949. Geri spent many years taking care of her family and working in the office of the family's poultry business. Aftder her children were older, Geri divorced and went to work as an administrative secretary in both the Sonoma County Water Agency and the Sonoma County Department of Public Works. While a the Water Agency, she met and married Richard (Dick) Norton, and Geri gained a stepdaughter, Svea Norton.After retirement, Geri and Dick often flew to warm locales with friends, enjoyhing fish fries, clam bakes, and abalone feeds. She also always tried to stay in touch with a network of high school friends who met regularly. Even though she lived in Santa Rosa, she valued and loved her Petaluma friends. After Dick died in 2014, Geri enjoyed a move to Springfield Place. During the last year of her life she enjoyed spending time with new friends: her wonderful care workers. Geri was preceded in death by her husband Dick, her son Richard Sovel, and her brother Bob Drake. She is survived by her son Stephen Sovel (Judy), and her step daughter Svea Norton, as well as two granddaughters, Stephannie (Todd) Mellor and Megan (Michael) Fischer Sovel. She will also be greatly issed by her two great granddaughters, Makenzi and Sydni Mellor. In addition, she is survived by many nieces and nephews