In Our Care

Norma Jean Powell

9/28/2025

Rev. Norma Jean Powell, 78, a retired minister and teacher who grew up in Tam Valley and served as pastor for nine Methodist churches across California, died of cancer at her home in Larkspur, CA, on August 9, 2025.

Founder of an outreach ministry that comforted seniors of multiple faiths in Mill Valley -- especially at the Redwoods nonprofit senior living community -- Rev. Powell was a long-term member and former education director of Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church, which sponsored her projects. It was at MTUMC that Rev. Powell created the now-annual Longest Night nondenominational observance designed to provide emotional support to residents of southern Marin who may be experiencing grief, loss, or other challenges during the winter holiday season.
A voracious reader and theological thinker since childhood, Rev. Powell was passionate about the intersections of spirituality, nature, local history, and the sacred Celtic roots of her long-time Marin family. Her father, Norman L. Powell, a longtime member of the Marin Sheriff’s Posse and a mounted patrol officer on Marin’s beaches, was a well-known community figure. With her sister Rae and mother Mae, the family lived for many decades in one of the oldest homes in Tam Valley, a 1923 farm cottage where they kept horses, farm animals, and even an orphaned fawn whom they rescued and allowed inside their house. Redwoods that they planted in the mid 20th century now tower over the large lot near the top of Marin Drive.

A strong sense of rootedness and connection was of core value to Rev. Powell. She was a co-founder of Tam Valley Kids, a social group of alumni of Tam Valley Elementary School from the 1950s and 60s that remains active today. She and her late husband, fellow teacher and former Jesuit seminarian William Walsh, shared their home with many rescued cats. Yet when not taking care of people and animals, they loved the feeling of freedom. Their favorite pastime was taking unplanned motorcycle camping trips to Rocky Mountain states, packing little more than sleeping bags and delighting in having no itinerary.

After graduating from Sonoma State, before attending the Pacific School of Religion and obtaining her degree at San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, Norma Jean taught English as a Second Language. She and her sister Rae also provided childcare for some famous families, including those of presidential nominees Adlai Stevenson (Democrat) and Barry Goldwater (Conservative Republic(an).
Rev. Powell is survived by her sister Rae Powell Walz of Sequim, WA; in-laws Sheila Leal of Boyd Hot Springs, CA and Joe Walsh of Chimacum, WA, and three adult step-children; and many dear friends including Lisa Anderson, John Murphy, and Jeff Golden. A service is planned for 12:30 p.m. September 28, 2025 at Mt Tam United Methodist Church, 410 Sycamore Way, Mill Valley. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the MTUMC Church for its senior outreach program.

Gerald Goldman

July 18, 1944 - July 20, 2025

With profound sadness, the family of Gerald (“Jerry”) Goldman announces his passing at age 81 on July 20, 2025, in San Rafael, CA. Jerry and Greer, his wife of 58 years, moved California to be near their family after living in Washington, DC for more than 50 years. He is survived by Greer, Jonathan Goldman and his wife Sarah Rettinger of Los Angeles, David Goldman and his wife, Sarah Wescott of San Rafael, and four grandchildren, Esther, Mira, Zora, and Asa. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School (where he met Greer), Jerry clerked for Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, was an Assistant Watergate Special Prosecutor, and a litigator in private practice specializing in complex tax issues. In addition to his work, Jerry was a passionate creative writer, sculpturer, bicycler and hiker. After retiring, Jerry was a volunteer attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council where he was part of the legal team defending EPA climate regulations from industry challenges in the federal appellate courts and the Supreme Court. To honor Jerry’s passionate advocacy for protecting the environment, contributions in his memory may be made to the Natural Resources Defense Council to support its climate and clean energy work https://nrcdc.org/, to Congregation Rodef Sholom, San Rafael, CA, or to a charity of your choice. The funeral was held at Fernwood Cemetery in Mill Valley, CA on July 24.