Gertrude C Norton

NORTON Gertrude C., 89, of Tampa, FL passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 29, 2015. She was born October 4, 1926 in Brighton, MA. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Henry W. (Bud) Norton, son Stephen W. Norton, and brother Lawrence Smith. She is survived by her loving daughter, Susan Norton of Tampa. Susan was the light of her life and they shared a very special bond. They faced some life challenges that many people don’t. Together they overcame them and Gert had a happy and fulfilling life. She married her husband, Henry, on September 17, 1949. They were married for 51 years. They moved to Miami in 1950, then Tampa in 1964. She worked for Traveler’s Insurance for 22 years; a career which took she and Bud to Augusta, GA where she met many new people who became lifetime friends. Upon her retirement, they moved back to Tampa, where she was a lead volunteer for Life’s Treasures Thrift Shop for over 10 years. A voracious reader, she also belonged to a book club for over 9 years. She loved to share her passion of reading with friends and was a regular at the library picking out books for herself and others. It was not unusual for her to mail books to friends all over the country. In addition to her volunteer activity, she had a passion for the less fortunate. She never hesitated to give to those she saw in need and supported many charities; in particular, Doctors Without Borders, The Smile Train, Habitat for Humanity, and Metropolitan Ministries. She will be greatly missed by her many friends but none so much as her greatest joy, her daughter. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Memorial Hospital and South Tampa Rehabilitation for their compassionate care. Visitation will take place at Blount & Curry MacDill Avenue Chapel in Tampa on January 9, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. with a memorial service following at 3:00 p.m. She will be laid to rest with her husband in a private burial later at the Florida National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders ( www.doctorswithoutborders.org) or LifePath Hospice, 11150 N 53 St. Tampa, FL 33617