Longtime Kittitas resident Norma "Jean" Arington passed away on April 14, 2013 in Ellensburg, Washington. Jean was born on September 29, 1922, in Beaver City Nebraska, the daughter of Ross Clifford Martin and Elva Vivian Bryant Martin. She was one of six children born to that union. Jean grew up in the Beaver City area where her father was a farmer. In order to attend high school, Jean moved into Beaver City and for room and board provided household and childcare assistance for a family who resided in Beaver City. It was during those years that she met Paul Arington, a young CCC member. They wed on November 14, 1939 and began their life together farming in the Humboldt, Nebraska area. Paul and Jean made homes in Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri before moving to Washington. In 1966 they brought their family to Kittitas and Jean lived in the family home until approximately three weeks before her death.Jean was a long time staff member for the Kittitas School District. However, her primary function in life was being a good Christian, wife, mother and friend to all. Her quiet demeanor and her quick smile brought respect and love from those around her. Jean will be remembered for her kind, strong nature and nurturing ways. She loved her family, gardening and quilting. Jean enjoyed watching nature outside her window. She shared many happy hours with family, loving and laughing. She was a member of the Kittitas Community Church and devoted much of her time to the support and well being of the church. She leaves behind many dear friends from the church. Jean is preceded in death in 2002 by her husband of 62 years, Paul, and by her son Paul Edward in 2006. Jean is survived by her remaining children: Steve (Becky) Arington of Kittitas, Jerry (Judy) Arington of Selah, Brenda Huston of Ellensburg, Kathy Arington of Selah, Connie Crews of Yakima and daughter-in-law Luwana Arington of Spokane. She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and their partners in life, and 12 great-grandchildren with one more on the way. She also leaves one brother A.D. "Dale" (Kay) Martin along with numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and many dear friends.Visitation will be on Friday, April 19, at the Kittitas Community Church at 3rd and Pierce in Kittitas from 5:00 PM till 8:00 PM. Interment will be April 20, 2013 at the IOOF Cemetery at 10:30 AM. A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:30 AM at the Kittitas Community Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kittitas Community Church, P O Box 537, Kittitas, WA 98934.