Sister Florence Norton

Sister Florence Norton died on April 2, 2021 in Mother Theodore Hall, St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She was born on July 16, 1926 in Chicago, IL, to John Joseph and Anna Florence Tobin Norton and was baptized Florence Theresa.
Sister Florence entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on Jan. 10, 1944 and was given the name Sister Thomas Ann. She professed Final Vows Aug. 15, 1951.
She earned a bachelor's degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master's degree from St. Louis University.
Of her 77 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education for the first 24 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. In 1968, she volunteered to join the Sisters of Providence who were ministering at Colegio San Jose in Arequipa, Peru. Having taught there for seven years, she returned to the United States and taught for another eight years at the parish school of St. Sylvester in Chicago, fast becoming a Spanish-speaking neighborhood. In 1982, she moved from teaching to parish work, first at St. Sylvester and then at Our Lady of Grace in Chicago. In 2010, Sister Florence moved to the Motherhouse where she volunteered in a variety of areas, including Providence Food Pantry, Helping Hands and the Shrine of Mother Theodore. She also was an ESL tutor. Beginning in 2019, she committed herself totally to the ministry of prayer.
Sister Florence was a warm, welcoming person. To anyone who met her, her inner wisdom and her empathetic heart were apparent. Truly a "people person," she was always up for any adventure or social gathering.
Sister Florence is survived by nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by three sisters, Rose Norton Murray, Margaret Norton and Mary Crane; and two brothers, John and Thomas Norton.
Due to the restrictions on group meetings, her wake on April 8 followed by the mass of Christian burial, with Reverend Dan Hopcus presiding, are not open to the public. Burial is in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence. DeBaun Funeral Homes and Crematory assisted with arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876. One may share or read memories of Sister Florence on the Sisters of Providence web page at:
www.spsmw.org/category/obituaries

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