Doris Norton

In Memory: Doris Mae Norton

Doris Mae Norton passed away in her sleep on Sun. Sept. 6, 2020, at her home in West Valley City, Utah. She was born 12 October 1938 with her twin sister Dorthy in Oakland, California, to parents Thelma Ella Rogers and Andrew Jackson “Jack” Green, Jr.. She and Dorthy were raised by a nanny-foster mother Anna Riley from 1939 to 1946 while their mother was in quarantine at a tuberculosis hospital. As teens, money was scarce and the twins learned to sew clothing. They graduated from Bellflower High school in 1957, then stayed at the YWCA. Doris met John E. Norton and they were married 4 March 1958 in Los Angeles. In 1968 our family was converted to the LDS church in Hayward, then we moved to Oregon. In 1978 we moved to the Salt Lake valley, Utah.

Doris was very active in church service and callings and loved teaching little children. On family vacations, she and Dad enjoyed camping and taking us to national and state parks or other places outdoors. They taught us four children respect for nature and for people, being kind, being courteous and to give a helping hand. We learned by Mom’s example and by her good works and compassionate service. She was thrifty and saved fabric scraps all her life. By her 30s, Doris was sewing quilts and blankets and had a creative talent for quilting. Not only did she sew quilts with love for her kids and grandkids, she also sewed and donated many baby quilts and blankets for church Relief Society and scout projects, and for her friends and neighbors.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, and twin sister. She is survived by her four children, Joyce "Jo" Harline (and husband, Joe), Jerry, Ruthie, Randy; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Phil, Louise, and Ken.

Her graveside service will be held Friday, Sept. 11 at 2:00 at Veterans Memorial Park in Bluffdale, where she will be interred with our dad. Our thanks to Peel Funeral Home, and to Mom’s friends and neighbors for all that they did for our family.