In Loving Memory

Nora Jane Widdowson

Nora Jane Widdowson, aged 90, slipped quietly away to heaven at her home in Colville, Washington in the earliest hour of February 7, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Nora was a profoundly devout Christian for her entire life, regularly attending services at the Church of the Nazarene. She was kind, loyal, self-deprecating and unassuming. To meet her was to encounter an angel on earth.

Nora was born on December 10, 1932 in Clarinda, Iowa, the fourth child of Albert and Florence (Baker) Lofts. Her birth was followed by another sister. Soon thereafter the Lofts family joined her father's brothers in Colville, Washington, where they ran a farm and sawmill. Here in Colville the family would be completed with the arrivals of siblings Charlie and Caroline "Carol". The family would eventually relocate to the Matanuska Valley in Palmer, Alaska, and they would later spend a period of time living in Arizona and Arkansas, before returning to Colville in the mid-1960s.

Nora wore several hats throughout her early life, working as a waitress in Arizona, then going on to work in a sewing factory in Arkansas manufacturing western-style shirts. When she returned to Colville, she worked for a local upholsterer before hiring on at Colmac Industry. It was there at Colmac in 1971 that she met the love of her life, Alfred Leroy Woodbridge, being joined in marriage on November 23, 1971. The pair remained in Colville for several years before moving to the Tri-Cities, where Alfred worked at Hanford and Nora kept their home.

Following Alfred's 1992 retirement, the pair returned to Colville for the final time, settling near Nora's sister on Orin-Rice Rd. Alfred was soon diagnosed with cancer and Nora cared for him in their home until he passed on October 28, 1997. Nora's selfless, nurturing spirit beckoned a total of five family members to her home to be lovingly cared for in their final days.

Nora and Wendell Widdowson wed in August 2008, after having been family friends for many decades. As long as his health allowed, the pair travelled together to various locations throughout the United States. When Wendell's needs for care grew too great for Nora to shoulder alone, she made the difficult decision to move him to an assisted living facility in Spokane, where he passed in 2018. In her remaining years Nora enjoyed tending to her yard and flower beds, making her delectable strawberry rhubarb jam, and baking scrumptious pies.

Nora was preceded in death by her loving husband of 25 years, Alfred Woodbridge; her second husband, Wendell Widdowson; her parents, Albert and Florence Lofts; and her siblings, Charlie, Robert (Swede), LaVerne (Dutch), and Rose (Don). She is survived by her sisters, Caroline Wittorf of Colville and Juanita Winton of Roland, OK; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Nora's life will be announced at a later date. Please visit the on-line memorial and sign her guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted in care.