Patricia Dieterich Norton

Loved ones remember Pat as a consummate host and generous friend who loved to spend time working on her garden and cooked gumbo so good it could summon her children and grandchildren home from more than 1,000 miles away.

The oldest child of Peter Gemeth Dieterich, Jr., and Ora Mae (née Dunnington), “Patsy,” as she was known to most, was born November 1, 1937, in Amite, La., where she lived through high school. Pat graduated from Amite High School as salutatorian, serving as editor of the school newspaper and participating in the drama and dance clubs.

She received her bachelor’s degree in communications and education from Southeastern Louisiana College — now known as Southeastern Louisiana University — where her love of dance led her to join the WaWhoops dance squad. She was also an active member of Kappa Rho sorority, making friends that she enjoyed reconnecting with at reunions in recent years.

After college, Pat moved to Baton Rouge and started teaching high school before taking a position at the television station WBRZ. While in Baton Rouge, she met the love of her life, Joe Norton, who she wed in 1961. They soon moved to New Orleans and were inseparable for 62 years of marriage, whether they were traveling the world, relaxing on Windjammer sailing cruises or attending the Thursdays at Twilight music series at the City Park Botanical Garden.

While raising her three children — Greg, Becky, and David — Pat became an avid volunteer. She was heavily involved in the Tulane Green Wave Swim Club Parents’ Association, devoting countless hours to driving carpool and attending out-of-town swim meets. Pat also gave her time and beautiful voice to St. Patrick’s Church, where she sang in the choir for over 20 years. In more recent years, she was an active participant in the Ladies Leukemia League and St. Elizabeth’s Guild.

Pat also served clients all over the New Orleans area during a 30-year career as a realtor. She started at Clyde Casey Real Estate and worked for several other firms before ultimately retiring from Latter & Blum, winning many awards and fostering lifelong friendships along the way.

And when Joe’s health declined, Pat devoted more than a decade of her energy to caring for him at their home in Terrytown before he died in late October 2023.

A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, and a generous friend, Pat will be dearly missed.

Pat is survived by her sister Jean D. Mitchell; her brother Tommy Dieterich, of Jackson, Miss.; her daughter, Becky McGoey, and her husband, Tommy; her younger son, David, and his wife, Lori; her daughter-in-law, Mercedes Abal; and her six grandchildren: Sean, Kyle, and Megan McGoey; Parker and Devin Norton; and Lola Norton, the daughter of Pat’s older son, Greg, who preceded her in death in 2014. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Joe, as well as her younger brothers Donald “Busty” Dieterich and Earl Dieterich.

Pat and Joe will be memorialized in a joint service Saturday, February 17, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., with mass to follow at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the organizations that Pat held dear: the music program at City Park, the ACE Program at New Orleans JCC, the Ladies Leukemia League, or the St. Elizabeth’s Guild.