Ruth E. Norton, age 96, of Marion, passed peacefully December 27, 2015, in Fairmont, West Virginia, with her family by her side.
On November 28, 1919, Ruth was born in Marion, Ohio, one of two daughters of the late William Frank and Rose (Bickel) Douce. She graduated from Marion Harding High School.
Furthering her education, Ruth earned her two year degree in elementary education from Bowling Green State University. She returned to Bowling Green and completed her four year elementary education degree in 1964 while raising her family.
While at Bowling Green Ruth met the love of her life, Thomas Norton, and they were married in Alexandria, Louisiana, on May 30, 1942. True companions, together they shared fifty two wonderful years of marriage and lovingly raised three children. He preceded her in death unexpectedly on June 21, 1994.
For over 30 years, Ruth worked as an elementary school teacher, predominantly 3rd grade; upon graduation from Bowling Green in Carey, Ohio and later in the Marion City Schools at Mark Street and Pearl Street Elementary Schools until her retirement in 1982. She was a member of the Marion City-County Retired Teachers Association.
A woman of faith, Ruth was a lifelong member of Epworth United Methodist Church and a member of the Evelyn Kendall Circle.
Ruth and Tom loved traveling in their camper, visiting every state except Alaska and Hawaii. They also spent many years enjoying sailing in their Mirror Dinghy and as a member of The Mirror Dinghy Association. They were snowbirds, wintering in Okeechobee, Florida, for many years.
Some of Ruth’s favorite pastimes included all kinds of crafts, including knitting, crocheting, and beading, playing cards with her husband and their many friends, and being with her family.
She will be dearly missed by her three children: Elizabeth “Beth” Richendollar of Fairmont, WV, William “Bill” (Mary) Norton of Flower Mound, TX, and James “Jim” Norton of Fresno, CA.; four grandchildren: Tracie (Ronald) Satterfield, Rebecca (Linda Oakleaf) Richendollar, Emily (John) Pruitt and Andrew Norton; and six great-grandchildren: Caleb and Madeline Satterfield, Chloe and Pierce Pruitt, and William and Abigail Oakleaf.
Including her husband and parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Tom Richendollar; and her sister, June Thatcher.
Her family will greet friends from 10 am – Noon on Saturday, January 2nd, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services honoring her life will follow there at Noon, with Rev. David Hoffman officiating. Burial will follow in Chapel Heights Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/donate or Epworth United Methodist Church, 249 E. Center St., Marion, Ohio 43302.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Ruth’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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