Gwynn Ellis Norgaard, Descendant of Lemon Grove Pioneers, Dies at 85

Gwynn Ellis Norgaard, a descendant of the pioneering Vermillion and Bettinson families in Lemon Grove, died peacefully in her Lemon Grove home on Aug. 25. She was 85. 

Born in Texas on July 5, 1928, Gwynn came with her mother to San Diego in 1930 and then to Lemon Grove. At the Lemon Grove Grammar School, she was active in the school band and sports, and was an avid reader.  

She is remembered as vivacious and outgoing by Arden Dunton, then a student in the grammar school. Gwynn was a close friend of his sister, Doreen (the Duntons' grandfather, Dr. Charles Good, built the 1912 general store—today, Grove Pastry Shop). When Arden married his wife, Peggy, in 1947, Gwynn signed their wedding guest book as "Mrs. Robert Norgaard."

Gwynn graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1945, where she became their first female drum major. She married Robert "Bob" Norgaard in 1947 in Lemon Grove. They traveled the globe, but were as fond of a good game of cards with friends and family. Her husband Bob passed away in 1999. 

She lived the remainder of her life in a classic, Spanish Revival home inherited from Mabel Vermillion.  Gwynn was preceded in death by her parents Felix and Mabel "Betty" (Bettinson) Ellis.  

She is survived by her daughter, Dorothy Alvord; sons, Richard (Wendy) and Robert (Jeanne); three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was interred at Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita.