Yvonne Jane Gilmore Norton June 15, 1941 - October 23, 2025

Sadly, we announce the passing of our mother, wife, sister, and grandmother, Yvonne Jane Gilmore Norton. Born 15 June 1941 in Los Angeles, California, to Morris A. Gilmore and Ferne Edric Bolding Gilmore, she died on 23 October 2025. She had been battling multiple life-threatening health problems through most of her adult life, including breast cancer.

She is survived by her sister, Ferne Pennyfather; her husband, Walter Norton; and her children, Les (Cheryl); Liesl Thornley (Paul); Kelly; and Spencer (Kimberly); plus 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Nolan (Toshiko) and Morris (Wilma); her twin sister, Yvette (Ralph) Bedford; and a son, Benjamin. Walt will greatly miss his beautiful sweetheart of 53 years, to whom he was married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. They enjoyed a delightful romance over those many years, one that will endure forever. All of Yvonne’s family and friends will surely miss her as well.

Family and friends were her whole life; she fervently loved each of them with all her heart. Her favorite family traditions were Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas celebrations.

Yvonne, at age 15, in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she grew up, converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and became a faithful member of the Church. She earned a Golden Gleaner Award; served faithfully in every auxiliary; had a lifelong passion for family history research; served as Stake Old English Name Extraction Director, Teacher, and Trainer; served as a Stake Missionary; and with Walt served as part-time service missionaries at the Provo Deseret Industries and then as full-time senior missionaries in the Utah Provo Mission. She always had a firm testimony of her Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ.

She graduated from Rancho High School in Las Vegas where she received first place trophies for speech contests sponsored by the Lions and Elks Clubs, served as President of a Junior Achievement Company, and received the Elks Club Leadership Award. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University. She was a soprano soloist in high school, performed with the chorus in the Edmonton Opera, played Aurelia in the Bennion, Utah, Stake Musical “Aurelia,” and sang in the Church production “Zion” at the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

After high school, Yvonne worked at different times as a Private, Medical, and Legal Secretary; Switchboard Operator in Nevada at the underground Atomic Test Site; Office Manager; EKG Technician; Phlebotomist; Professional Genealogist; and full-time homemaker. Her hobbies included painting with water colors and oils, china painting, sewing, ceramics, cooking, candy making, and creating beautiful wedding cakes. She decorated her home for every season and set her tables year-round with lovely china, silver, crystal, and linens.

Yvonne loved to dance and particularly enjoyed attending military balls and dances at Brigham Young University with her “handsome prince” — Walt. During the COVID-19 pandemic when they were forced to remain isolated at home for over five years, Yvonne and Walt danced at home until she was called to her heavenly home. During this period, Yvonne also authored a beautiful book entitled A Collection of Life Stories which contains precious stories and pictures of our family and of Yvonne’s extended family.

Funeral services for Yvonne Norton will be held on Saturday, November 1, at the Elk Ridge 5th Ward meetinghouse, 450 South Elk Ridge Drive, Elk Ridge, Utah. Services will be under the direction of Walker Funeral Home of Spanish Fork, Utah, and a video feed will be available. A public viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and a family viewing from 11:30 a.m. – Noon. The funeral will begin at 12:00 Noon. Burial will be at the East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery, 4800 North 650 East, Provo, Utah.