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Celebrating life in the Santa Cruz MountainsMountain Network News

Los Gatos · Summit Road · 95033

Obituary

Norlyn Marie Wade

October 15, 1941 – September 29, 2026
Norlyn Wade in a white halter dress posing as Marilyn Monroe
Norlyn posing as Marilyn Monroe at the Loma Prieta Club's Hollywood-themed picnic. She made the dress from an old white sheet. Norlyn was the picnic chairperson that year.

Norlyn Marie Wade (Eierman), 84, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2026.

Norlyn was born in San Francisco, California, to Evelyn Marie (Berg) and Henry “Norm” Eierman. She was preceded in birth by a few minutes by her twin sister, Marilyn, and the family later welcomed younger brother, Peter. The family enjoyed sailing on the San Francisco Bay and the Alameda Estuary. A champion swimmer, Norlyn spent her teenage summers in Twain Harte working as a lifeguard.

After graduating from Alameda High School, Norlyn attended San Jose State University, where she met her husband, Jack Allen Wade. They married at the basilica of Mission Carmel and honeymooned in Graeagle. Together, they raised three children, Stephen, Eric, and Alisa Wade (Wilcox). Family life was filled with camping, houseboating, and waterskiing. Norlyn coached soccer when the children were young, and remained active throughout her life, enjoying running, racquetball, and even rowing outrigger canoes.

Norlyn and Jack first built a home in the Chino Hills, and later their forever home in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Jack built the exterior while Norlyn tiled, painted, and finished the interior. Nestled among the redwoods with long views toward the coast, it was their home for more than 50 years.

In the Santa Cruz Mountains, Norlyn became a fixture in the community, both professionally as a realtor and socially, where her laugh lit up many events. A 52-year resident of the Villa Del Monte neighborhood, Norlyn worked for almost 20 years as a realtor in the Santa Cruz Mountains. She started her real-estate career with Ed Mitchell of Mitchell Realty, whose office was located on the corner of Summit Road and Del Monte Way.

Norlyn was a longtime member of the Loma Prieta Club and active in the Mountain Art Guild. From painting theatre sets at Alameda High until close to the end of her life, Norlyn remained devoted to her art. Working in oils, she was undaunted by the intricacies of capturing landscapes, people, or llamas. She filled her home with her canvases and fabulous murals painted directly on the walls.

Norlyn was quick to laugh and always brought a bright smile with her. Her sparkling blue eyes even gave her shiny gold boots a run for their money. She will be deeply missed by her husband of more than 65 years, three children, five grandchildren – Haley, Ethan, and Luca Wade and Peter and Elias Wilcox, and her many other friends and family members. May she rest in peace with God.

A painting by Norlyn Wade
One of Norlyn's many paintings