Norma Leila Duras

Obituary Norma (Rosellini) Duras October 9, 1914 - January 16, 2015 Norma, a lifelong resident of Tacoma, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2015 at Franciscan Hospice House. She was the oldest of three children born to Carlo Rosellini and Lillian Natucci Rosellini. Her brother Joseph Rosellini and sister Bonnie Rosellini Ormsby preceded her in death. Norma graduated from Lincoln High School in 1932 and in 1936 she married Dewey Tei. They had two children, Karli Tei Winge, who passed away in 2001, and Randy Tei. In 1943 they opened Ben Dew's Restaurant at 9th and Commerce in Tacoma and in 1953 moved the restaurant to Sixth Avenue. Norma and Dewey were married for 26 years until he passed away in 1962. In 1972 Norma married John Duras who she described as, "The kind of man every woman should have". In marrying John she gained three children; Dr. Steve Duras (Patty), Greg Duras (Nadine), and Ann Brewer (Michael) who truly all became her own. In 1996 she gained another daughter when Randy Tei married Lynn Kelly. She loved all her new children deeply and is survived by all of them as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Norma successfully operated Ben Dew's until 1975. She was very active in the Washington State Restaurant Association, serving on its executive board for many years. In 1974 she was honored to win the "Industry ‘Man' Of The Year Award" for outstanding service to the foodservice industry. She was the first woman to earn this distinction. She worked as a consultant to the Washington State Restaurant Association until her retirement in 1997. Norma had a wonderful life and was fortunate to be able to live in her Gold Creek Condominium until last year. Our thanks and love go out to Christine Barretto, her in-home caregiver. Whenever Christine entered the room Norma beamed. She moved to Laurel House at Narrow's Glen in 2014 and many thanks to their wonderful staff as well. A service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery for family members. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Northwest Furniture Bank in Tacoma. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.