Ann Norton DeLoach

Ann Norton DeLoach of Sarasota, Florida died on January 24, 2024. Ann is survived by three daughters, Cassandra Ann Nisbet (Tim Smith) of Sarasota, Elizabeth Laird Nisbet (Dale Reynolds) of New York, NY, and Ann DeLoach Cox (Erik Cox) of Johns Island, SC; four grandchildren, Matthew James Smith of Gainesville, Florida, Benjamin Erik Cox and Jackson Sullivan Cox of Johns Island, SC, and Joanna May Reynolds of New York; two siblings, Joe Norton, Jr. of Kennet Sq, Pennsylvania and Catherine McDonald (Clyde McDonald) of Rome, Georgia and two nephews, Jason and Joseph Pitts.

Ann was born July 29, 1938, in Atlanta, Georgia, the first child of Joseph Matthew Norton and Maybelle Howard Norton. She graduated from Southwest High School, where she was active in a number of clubs, was Vice President of the honor society, and served as Co-Captain of the cheerleading squad. She attended Agnes Scott College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with a degree in English.

Ann began her career in education after college. She taught preschool and English and later earned a Master of Arts in Library Science from Emory University while raising her three daughters. She was a librarian for the rest of her career, first at Goodyear Elementary School in Brunswick, Georgia, and then Glynn Academy High School. She also volunteered in the libraries at St. Simons Island Presbyterian Church and at her current home, Bay Village of Sarasota.

In addition to being an avid reader, Ann had many other interests and hobbies. She made beautiful quilts and enjoyed bridge, gardening, needlepoint, flowers, music, art, and cooking. She is remembered as a kind and dependable friend and a companion full of good humor and conversation.

A memorial gathering will be held at Bay Village in Sarasota on February 17th at 3pm. Friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Breast Cancer Research Fund (https://www.bcrf.org)