Jean Irene Norris
April 25, 1920 - March 17, 2024
It is with great sadness that the family of Jean Irene Norris share the news of her passing on March 17, 2024.
Jean Irene (Smith) Norris died peacefully at home after a long and full life of 103 years, 10 months, 20 days. Jean was born on April 25, 1920 at her Grandfather Henry Day Smith’s home on Sec 36-34-24 W3rd in the Ruby Lake District, to Stella (Willoughby) and William Smith. She was the eldest sister to Kenneth Smith, Kathleen Smith, Helen (Smith) Peterson and Florence (Smith) Prescesky.
She and her siblings walked 1 1/2 miles to Ruby Lake School before moving closer to Kerrobert to attend high school at the “Brick School.” The family moved to the “Perry Glass” farm and travelled over 4 miles to school by Bennett Buggy in summer and closed in cutter in winter. After spending a year at home, she attended Normal School (Teacher’s College) in Saskatoon in 1939-40. Her first school was Morton S.D., where she met the love of her life, Cecil Norris, in 1940. During the war years, while Cecil was away serving in the military, Jean taught school at Morton, Jellicoe, Algoma and Dukesbury schools. In 1946, she travelled to Victoria, BC, to take university classes.
After seven years, Cecil and Jean were married on June 28, 1947, in Kerrobert United Church. They farmed in the Oakwood District in the RM of Mariposa for 32 years and bought a house in Kerrobert, where their four daughters—Sylvia Jean, Beverley Anne, Gail Leslie, and Cecile Lynne (twins)—attended school. Jean taught Kindergarten in Kerrobert for five years. She was a member of the Arcata Community Club, United Church Women, the United Church choir, and Senior songsters.
Jean was predeceased by her husband, Cecil Norris, her parents, Stella and William Smith, brother Ken, sisters Kathleen and Helen and son-in-law, Frederick Volk. Her quiet, kind and loving presence will be greatly missed by her family: Florence Prescesky, Sylvia and Ken Kuntz, Beverley Volk, Gail and Norman Krekoski, Cecile and Michael Weber, 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, her nieces and nephews and families, and all of her many friends and acquaintances. May she forever rest in God’s love and peace.
At Jean’s request there will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers and cards, donations in Jean’s name may be made to The Pioneer’s Haven Resident’s Fund, Kerrobert, SK.