Emily Amanda Normandin-Parker of Laguna Beach passed away on Saturday, August 12. She was 23. Emily was anything but ordinary. She was beautiful, empathetic, brave, smart, interesting, hilarious and extraordinary. She was a bright light, our Emily, and her life had just begun.
Emily was an exceptionally talented writer and lover of all of the arts. She loved being with family, writing, drag shows, books, the ocean, animals, driving, concerts, music festivals, plays, musicals, movies, painting, drawing, the outdoors, baking with her dad and gardening with her mom. She loved gaming with her friends. She also loved learning new things, whether it was about bridge engineering, aviation, plants, animals or the intersection of the arts and democracy. She would wakeboard or snow ski if mildly cajoled or massively bribed.
Emily grew up in Laguna Beach. She graduated from the Orange County School of the Arts in 2018, where she focused on creative writing, and from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television in 2022. 
She was at her best when helping friends and others, which she valued above all other things, even herself. During the pandemic, she started an online academic, emotional, and social support group, ultimately providing support to over 150 elementary, middle, and high schoolers. Emily was a proud supporter of LGBTQ+ rights; she was proudly bisexual but would have been an ally regardless. She had strong beliefs that people had the right to be themselves.
Emily loved her brothers, Cole and Josh. She was so proud of them and would do anything for them. She always put them before herself, and that’s just how she was. She was excited to see Josh head off to college this fall and see Cole graduate from college this May.
She is survived by her parents, Carol Normandin and Ken Parker, her brothers Cole (21) and Josh (19) Normandin-Parker, and her grandmother, Suzanne Parker. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Lareine Normandin, Roland Normandin and Gerry Parker.
In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you never be ordinary, be yourself, and always stand up for others’ rights to do so. They ask that donations be made in Emily’s name to her favorite charities: The Trevor Project, No Square Theater in Laguna Beach, the Fisher House and Planned Parenthood.
Emily Normandin-Parker’s celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023 at Soka University. We hope to share thoughts about and love for Emily and for all who loved her.
Here is the address:
Founders Hall Art Gallery
Founders Hall
Soka University
1 University Circle Drive
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
All are welcome. Some form of clothing required. Concert and theater attire, t-shirts and otherwise, is welcome, as well as dresses and formal wear. Most importantly, be yourself. Stories or anecdotes about Emily are welcome.
Please send any pictures of Emily or memories about her to [email protected].
A beautiful tribute to a smart, with a razor sharp wit, who was wise beyond her years. She and my daughter Olivia were best friends at Thurston. I enjoy talking to kids about politics and current events and I have to say there are few 12 year olds who can carry an adult conversation about our world. Emily was one of them.
If you engaged her in a conversation with her over pancakes (gluten free of course!) you had best have your facts in order and be prepared to back them up. I for one will never forget those mornings sparring with her and my daughter about the events of the day.
Our community needs more people like Emily. Losing her is a terrible blow for her family but all of us are worse off without her.
Emily Normandin-Parker’s celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Soka University. We hope to share thoughts about and love for Emily and for all who loved her.
Here is the address:
Founders Hall Art Gallery
Founders Hall
Soka University
1 University Circle Drive
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
All are welcome. Some form of clothing required. Concert and theater attire, t-shirts and otherwise, is welcome, also dresses and formal wear; most importantly be yourself. Stories or anecdotes about Emily are welcome.
Please send any pictures of, or thoughts about, Emily to [email protected].