Susan Eastman
Although born and raised until the age of 9 in Los Angeles, Nora spent most of her childhood in Reno, Nev., where she later met and married husband Lewis. They settled on a ranch 30 miles from town with horses, pigs, and an array of cats and dogs. At the time Lew taught science and encouraged Nora to pursue her education. Did she ever! Nora’s first degree was in elementary education, followed by an M.A. in home economics, and an M.S. in school counseling. Nora taught for 18 years, during which time husband Lew became a vice principal, then principal.
With all this, Nora somehow found time to be Director of the Nevada State Fair Home Arts Program for four years, a challenge she found invigorating and tremendously gratifying.
Retirement finally came for Nora first then Lew at 69. Instead of settling into a quiet routine, they bounded into another adventure, living off grid in Alaska! “What,” you say? After all, many Creekers have cruised the Alaskan waters in the comfort of elegant ships. But Nora and Lew chose to live in a small community of six families south of Haines, Alaska, near the Canadian border. They loved life in the wilderness! Comforts of home were created with the use of generators, pumping water from a nearby lake weekly, DISH TV, and trips to a nearby town for supplies that kept them connected.
After six years, they moved to the lower 48, buying a home on the Washington state waterfront where they continue to spend summers enjoying cool weather and cultivate oyster beds. Ever energetic, Nora opened a yarn shop. She enjoyed quilting, the needle arts, and the community conviviality shop ownership brought.
Seeking warmer winter climes found them exploring Arizona. During the COVID-19 pandemic they found a home in PebbleCreek and moved here in 2020. Due to limited access to the Creative Arts Center during that time, Nora was only able to participate in ceramics periodically. As life re-opened she found her way to the ceramic studio regularly, while maintaining a snowbird schedule. Many of her works explore color blending, and diamond painting with creative use of different elements.
Nora cites the positive environment, numerous friends, and stellar instruction as reasons she keeps coming back.
We invite you to visit the ceramics studio too. Who knows what talent you may discover?