Nora Mae Salter, 83, Hoquiam, Washington, resident, died Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Aberdeen, Washington. Nora was born in Aberdeen, Washington, to Oliver and Ovilla Turner.

Nora spent many years living in Montana, where she helped run her family’s general store, which also acted as the town’s post office and gas station. Nora and her husband Ed were also farmers, growing barley, raising pigs and sheep on their farm. She also operated Big Warm, her family’s recreational area that was open to the public, with camping, hiking, snack bar and swimming in two natural hot springs all located at the foot of the Little Rocky Mountains in Lodge Pole, Montana.

Washington is where Nora called home, though. She spent many years living in the Olympia and Lacey area. She worked for Apartments Unlimited when she wasn’t out on the road “trucking” with her husband. It was during these long road trips that Nora would bring her crafts to life. She would crochet blankets in beautiful colors, knit scarfs, hats and mittens too. Nora also began making tablecloths, napkins and decorative shirts with Artex Roll-On Paints. Nora was also a passionate genealogist, spending many hours tracing her and her husband’s family tree. This is how she discovered that she was a certifiable descendant of one of the first Oregon Trail pioneer women and to her delight discovered part of her ancestor’s diary is still in the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum.

Nora moved to California and enjoyed traveling throughout the state with family and friends. Her adventures led her to Lake Tahoe, tram rides in Palm Springs and Yosemite National Park to name a few. She also traveled to Oatman Ghost Town, Arizona, where she fed the wild burros, and to the Grand Canyon. She also met up with distant relatives while doing research for her genealogy.

Nora left California and returned home to Grays Harbor in 2011, where she continued her love for genealogy, crafts and traveling. In 2019, some of Nora’s adventures included multiple day trips to local beaches, touring Seattle, flying to Alaska and taking an Alaskan cruise. Nora loved being surrounded by her family, Mis-e — her little Yorkie — and friends.

Nora was preceded in death by her husband Edward Salter, parents Ovilla Kirkaldie, stepdad Bruce Kirkaldie, Oliver Turner, stepmom Dorothy Turner, her daughter Laura Calica, sister and brother-in-law Myrna and Roger Green, sister Lee Layne, brother-in-law Ray Salter, stepchildren Larry Salter and Kristi Salter.

Nora is survived by five sons and two daughters Greg and Pat Shields, Jeff Calica, Fred and Nancy Calica Jr., Randy and Teri Calica, Darryl Calica, Lynn and Bryn Johansen, Cindi Salter-Hyce, one sister, Rita and Chick Helgeson, two brothers, Luke Kirkaldie and Rick Turner, and over 50 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

A celebration of life memorial will be announced and held at later date.