From those of us who called her wife, mom, sister, aunt, grandma, and great-grandma to those of you who knew her as Mrs. Norris, parishioner (at Our Lady of Sorrows and Holy Cross in Santa Barbara, and then St. Louis de Montfort in Orcutt/Santa Maria), friend, neighbor, and cohort in a myriad of compassionate endeavors, as well as to those of you who simply find radiance compelling, we share our loss and celebration. Eva Norris has accomplished her last earthly breath.
Eva was quite blessed to be present for the celebration of her tenth and youngest child's 50th birthday on March 16, 3007. Later that day she was born to eternal life in the light of God and in the care of Jesus with her husband and local children at her bedside.
Eva Madeline Norris was born on April 9, 1915 in Portland, Oregon. She was moved to Seattle, Washington as a child with her parents, Walter and Eva, and her sisters, Marie and Anna. She married the love of her life, Herbert Donald Norris, on December 5, 1936. Together they had ten children making for a lively household of "barbarians" ( as she often called us). Over the years, Eva and Herb welcomed numerous other children into their home for extended stays, as well. One of her refuges from the daily tumult was her love of reading into the wee hours, particularly Agatha Christie mysteries. Another was prayer, particularly the Rosary. She also loved her pets over the years, namely Bob, Tinka, Toby, Patches, Lizzie, Tony, Smitty, Punky, Jude, Tessie, Peter, Monet and Tina.
In 1961 she and Herb moved their family from Seattle to Santa Barbara, where the mountains, ocean, and sunshine delighted her. This was a pivotal point in her life.
At the age of 47, Eva, a lifelong Catholic, was inspired by the self-examination occurring at the Second Vatican Council in 1962. All ten if her children having entered school, she embarked on a vocation of activism for the rest of her life.
Her role models begin with the first, so loved by Eva, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who exemplifies wholehearted dedication to living in God's will, and include St. Francis of Assisi, Dorothy Day, Archbishop Oscar Romero, Cesar Chavez, Mahatma Gandhi, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and many others along the way who radiated love in quests for justice and the alleviation of human suffering.
Eva spent countless hours as a volunteer advocating for fair housing in California, organizing civil rights marches in Santa Barbara, agitating for lettuce and grapes boycotts in support of migrant farm workers and there nascent union, United Farm Workers, and tirelessly organizing anti-war demonstrations and draft counseling throughout the Vietnam War.
Then, in 1976 when nurses' aides, including on of her daughters, walked out of a Santa Barbara nursing home to protest patient care conditions, Eva found a cause she would champion for the next 14 years. She spearheaded the organizing of the long-term care ombudsman program for nursing homes in Santa Barbara County and the State of California and was a founding member of the Aging and Long Term Care Network. In 1999 she was recognized by Congressional, State and County Resolutions expressing deep gratitude for her extensive service in this area. Vast improvements have been made throughout the skilled nursing home industry due to her efforts. Throughout she relied in the invaluable support of her husband. Ultimately, she benefited from the fruit of her own work in the excellent care she received at Shoreline Care Center.
Eva and Herb moved to Santa Maria in 1985. When Eva retired from her ombudsman work at about age 75, She returned to her dogged commitment to peace and justice, and Herb, by then retired, joined her, focusing their energies on the Peace and Justice Committee in their parish, St. Louis de Montfort, and in the Santa Maria Peace Coalition, until her health no longer permitted.
While she was in physical decline the last five years and was especially disappointed to be losing the visual acuity to read, her inspiring spirit was in ascendance. No longer able to carefully consider the impacts of political, economic, and historical events on social and spiritual progress, her capacity to share affection became unfettered. Her time spent with her family was abundantly increased and enjoyed immensely by all.
Among the highlights of her final months were the 70th anniversary of her marriage to her lifelong love, Herb, continuous visits from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, the births of 2 additional great-grandchildren, the knowledge of one more great-grandchild on the way, and the enchantment of the movie "Happy Feet" on two occasions.
During the course of her life Eva developed an expansive capacity for joy and sorrow, which she easily shared with all. Faith, hope, compassion, understanding, patience, reconciliation, dialogue, acceptance, perseverance, and a sense of humor that augmented her tenacity with an uncommon resilience, all found their taproot in love. She supported the downtrodden with so much love that we can easily imagine she is now "up there" praying for all victims of violence, ignorance and injustice, with Jesus, as always, her constant source of strength, guidance and joy. We love you so much!
Eva's beloved granddaughter, Debbie (Deborah Ann Johnson) preceded her in eternal life in 1998. Eva is survived by her beloved husband, Herb; their children, Susan, Claudia, Kay Sheila and Billy (the "big kids") and Therese, Mary, Anne, Pauline, and Joseph (the "little kids"); their spouses and significant others Larry, Jim, George, Charles, Steve, Jim and Joanie; 22 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Marie Young and Anna Jungck; and many other dear relatives.
The Rosary, Thursday evening, March 22, at 7 p.m. and the Mass of Resurrection, Friday, March 23, at 10:00 a.m. will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1740 Cliff Drive, followed immediately by graveside services at Calvary Cemetery, 199 North Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara. Reception to fallow at Holy Cross Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers please remember your favorite charity.
We would like to thanks all of the staff at Shoreline Care Center in Oxnard, California, for their tender and loving care given to Eva during her last month.
Arrangements by McDermott-Crockett Mortuary
Published in the Santa Maria Times from 3/20/2007 - 3/21/2007.
