Passed peacefully on the afternoon of Jan. 23, 2013 surrounded by three generations of family. She was born Jan. 20, 1919 to James Fiske Norman and Alma Maddie Doll Zinn Norman.
Fay, one of nine children, was raised on a farm in Butler, MIssouri. It was growing up in this large, farm family that she developed values that stayed with her for her life: hard work, optimism, high energy, unpretentiousness, joy in simple things, and love and importance of family gatherings. Fay had an open mind. She would often say, “The world is a big place. There is room for all different kinds of people.”
Fay taught grades first through eighth in a one room schoolhouse for two years before journeying to California with a sister. She ended up in Santa Barbara, where she met and married Paul Westbury. Eventually, they built a house on TV hill where they raised their three daughters. Fay was a homemaker all her life, and as such provided encouragement and support that helped Paul to achieve business success at Anderson Camera, which he owned with his brother Lawrence and Will Woodward. Her encouragement and optimism helped all of her children and grandchildren graduate from college.
Paul and Fay were married for 63 years until his death in 2003. They were longtime members of La Cumbre Country Club where Fay was an avid golfer and bridge player. She was proud to have played 18 holes of golf as well as bridge on her 90th birthday! She was also a productive member of the Women’s Club and the Girl Scouts. She supported the Republican Party as well as countless charities. She loved the First Presbyterian Church, the church she and Paul attended and where they enrolled their children.
Fay lived her last three years at Vista del Monte and enjoyed the vibrant people and the varied activities that were provided there. She was not a sit-at-home person.
Fay loved her home with the beautiful ocean view. She liked a cup of coffee with the morning paper, sitting in the big front window with the morning sun shining in and the fog hovering over the islands. She enjoyed the mental challenge of difficult crossword puzzles and wore out many dictionaries solving them. She enjoyed hosting social gatherings for family and friends.
Fay leaves behind a loving family who will miss her very much. She is survived by Paula Westbury of Santa Barbara and New York, Marsha Cutler and husband Dale of Simi Valley, California, and Lynette Baird and husband Bob of Foresthill, California. She leaves one brother, Dennis Norman and wife Melva, one sister Maxine Ellis, and one sister-in-law Arletta Norman, all of Missouri.She was well loved by her grand children: Matthew Kurek, Maija Hahn, Sierran Padilla, and Brittany Muff. She has nine great-grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
Fay was preceded in death by her husband Paul; brothers, Alvin and James Donald, and sisters Pauline, Opal, Velma, and Lorene. The family is having a private memorial. Any donations may be given to The First Presbyterian Church.
