Norma Faye Norton, formerly of Adrian, died in the presence of her loving family while under hospice care on Thursday evening, March 19th, 2026, at Caretel Inns of Brighton, where she has been a resident the past couple years. A week shy of turning 82, Norma was born March 26th, 1944, in Tipton, the daughter of the late Fay and Lillian (Brock) Luce.
Following her years at Tecumseh High School, Norma attended Adrian College, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in pursuit of a career as a teacher. While at Adrian College, she was a proud member of the Alpha Phi Sorority. On May 6, 1967, she married the love of her life, Bruce Russell Norton, at Herrick Chapel on the campus of Adrian College. Together they raised a family of three children and built a 58-year legacy of love and faithfulness.
Norma fulfilled her dream of becoming a teacher. She loved crafting, reading, cooking and baking, and was renowned for her delectable cheesecake. She was always in search of new recipes and enjoyed trying new ideas, from which everyone benefitted. She was active as a den mother for the Cub Scouts when her boys were growing up and she never missed a sporting event of one of her children or grandchildren. Bruce and Norma were blessed to have built their dream home on Devil’s Lake and were active members of the Devil’s Lake Yacht Club. Throughout the years, they loved traveling to Hilton Head, one of their favorite places, as well as to Branson and the Smokey Mountains. She was very, very close to her sisters, who all grew up and lived their adult lives close to each other, talking every single day and sharing their joys and trials with each other. Norma’s greatest joy came from making memories with her beloved family.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, Bruce, are her children, Daniel (Wendy) Norton of Hudson, Amy (Kyle) Griffith of Blissfield and Matthew (Amanda) Norton of Howell; a sister, Margaret (Wallace) Wilkin of Tipton, six grandchildren, Madison, Brady (Rachel), Marley (Brent), Drew (Alexis), Alyssa and Brennan (Kathryn); as well as her very loved great-grandsons, Elliott and Braxton.
Besides her parents, Norma was preceded in death by a brother, James Ladd, and three sisters, Juanita Cox, Carol Bird, and Beverly “Jean” Rudd.
The family will receive friends for visitation at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home in Adrian on Friday, March 27th, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Private burial will follow in Franklin Township Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in honor of Norma are suggested to benefit Residential Hospice Foundation or the Adrian College Teacher Education Department. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.