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Shirley Wellborn Norris

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Lyndon High School University of Kansas

Shirley Norris Obituary

Shirley Wellborn Norris, 80, Topeka died January 9, 2007 at her home. Shirley was born October 16, 1926 in Emporia, Kansas to Rankin and Marjorie Buffon Wellborn. Shirley graduated from Lyndon High School. She attended Kansas University where she was a leader in many organizations, including President of Mortar Board, and first President of the Associated Women Students. After twenty-five years of Honor Men, the highest recognition at the University of Kansas, Shirley was chosen as the first Honor Woman. After marrying V.L. Norris (Moe) in 1948, Shirley moved to Topeka where her first job after graduating from KU was at Community Nursery School. Shirleys career was always focused on making the world a safe place for children to live and thrive. She continued to receive recognition both nationally and locally for her tireless advocacy for children. She was a pioneer in the Womens movement, and was always championing equal rights for all people. Shirley was active in Grantville United Methodist Church and touched the lives of many through family, work, and community. She is survived by husband Moe; children: Josie, Michael and his wife Jane, and Kaye; grandchildren: Chris, David, Diana, Steven, Melinda, and Isaac; sisters: Lois and husband Bob Dillon, and Jo Shellhaas; nieces and nephews, Steve and wife Susie, Mark & wife Sue, and Julie of the Dillon family; Greg and wife LeAnn, and Scott of the Shellhaas family; great nieces and nephews: Rachel, Julian, George, Nora, Paul, Greg, Jack, Joseph and Anthony of the Dillon family; Jordan, Parker, and Gates of the Shellhaas family. Memorial service will be held at Penwell-Gabel Midtown Chapel, 10th and Lane, at 3:00 pm, on January 15, 2007. The family will greet guests for the half hour preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Topeka Day Center, Post Office Box 4928, Topeka, KS 66604. To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabel.com Shirley Norris

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Topeka Capital-Journal on Jan. 11, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Shirley Norris

31 Entries

Dean Yearout

April 19, 2007

Shirley was one of my best friends from High School buddies. Sure sorry to hear of her passing.. To all her friends and family.. I say God Bless and take care..

Dean Yearout

April 19, 2007

Shirley was one of my best friends from High School buddies. Sure sorry to hear of her passing. To all her friends and families. I say God Bless and take care.

Susan Hancock

February 2, 2007

I met Shirley when I began working with her daughter, Kaye, in Missoula, MT. Having lost my own mother at the age of 16, I proceeded to adopt Shirley. She didn't seem to mind and I greatly enjoyed spending time with her. My condolences go to the whole family.

Jeff Weldon

January 18, 2007

We are very sad about your loss. Our love and prayers go to Shirley's family. Jeff, Leslie, Katelyn and Helen Weldon

Susan Sachsenmaier

January 18, 2007

Shirley is my best friend's Mom, so I've known her for two decades. She and Moe and the rest of the family so warmly welcomed me into their family that I and my son know them as our own family, always there and always supportive, and always, following Shirley's tradition, loving and helpful. Shirley never put boundaries around her love and compassion. She was a miracle on this earth and we will always cherish that part of her spirit that lives forever within us.

Shirley loved life and everyone in it. This is Shirley with her family in Mexico, 2005

January 18, 2007

Terry Moore

January 16, 2007

Shirley was one of the warmest, kindest and brightest people I have ever known. Working with her at KDHE was a joy and continuing our friendship afterwards was even better. Lorna and I will miss her greatly as she was one of our favorite people. She was a truly wonderful lady!

Melanie Merriman

January 16, 2007

Kaye and family -
I met Shirley once when I was in Topeka. She proudly introduced herself as "Kaye's Mom". Clearly she was a wonderful mother and so much more. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Emily Buffon

January 15, 2007

Cousin Shirley was probably my first babysitter when we lived near the Potwin neighborhood in Topeka. And she was a dear family friend. I have fond memories of our families being together in Topeka, or Lyndon, or at Lois and Bob's farm. I cherish these childhood memories and I must have been more inspired by Shirley than I knew for I am now a devoted and enthusiastic preschool teacher.
I am sending my love to Moe and Josie and Kaye and Mike and Lois and Bob and Jo and all of this wonderfull loving family. We will miss Shirley very much but we will carry her love in our hearts. Cousin Emily

Laurie, Reva, Ann and the ERC staff

January 15, 2007

Shirley will always be remembered fondly at ERC as the first person who regulated our agency to do child care referrals. She was a leader and dear friend to early education. We always appreciated her support and words of encouragement. We will miss seeing her at the Designers' Showhouse membership night.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all her family and friends.

Terri & Peggy Hipsher

January 15, 2007

Shirley was a wonderful Mom and friend. My Mom and I were lucky enough to know her and to be able to call her our friend. She helped make the world a better place for all of us and made us better for having known her.

Klassic Creations

January 15, 2007

Michael and the Norris family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Patty Malloy-Krug

January 15, 2007

Dear Moe and family,
I will always have fond memories of growing up next door to you in Potwin. Shirley was so upbeat and full of energy. She always treated me like I was one of her own. Going to Lyndon, skiing, and drive-in movies. She will be missed terribly, but heaven is now a much brighter place.

Kathie and Charlie Buffon

January 14, 2007

Sadly, illness prevents us from being with you to celebrate Shirley's life and mourn her death. We were blessed to enjoy Shirley's company on her many trips to Washington, DC, to advocate for children's welfare as well as on our less frequent trips to Topeka. Shirley, our cousin, became, over the years, Shirley our beloved and much admired friend. It is impossible to think of the world without her. Shirley was such an optimistic, caring and giving, intelligent, effective, passionate, funny and altogether delightful person. She will always be part of our world. We send our love to you, Moe, and to Josie, Mike, Kaye, Lois, Jo and all of the wonderful Wellborn-Norris clan. No one could have cared for anyone more fathfully and lovingly than you have cared for Shirley. She reaped what she sowed. May flights of angels sing her to her rest. Kathie and Charlie

Shelley Alfieri

January 14, 2007

Moe Our deepest sympathy. We knew you and Shirley through the Topeka PC Users Group, Shirley was leading hand in the group.
Joan & Shelley Alfieri

Carole Leonard

January 13, 2007

Josie and family,

I only had a chance to meet Shirley once -- at Chris and Joy's wedding. But I know her as a gracious, kind, generous, and loving woman who (together with Moe) started the wonderful family that Joy has had the privilege of joining. My deepest condolences go out to you -- there certainly must be a large empty space in the family right now. In honor of her support over the years for the children of Topeka as well as a certain theater company in New York, I'm sending a donation to Topeka Day Care in her name.

Virgil & Joyce Funk

January 13, 2007

Our prayers are with Shirley's family. Shirley was such a positive person as a Potwin parent, Topeka Day Care Board Memeber, and friend for many years. She made our world a better place to live.

Rick Myrick

January 13, 2007

Shirley is the sweetest, nicest person I have ever known. She may gone, but will certainly not be forgotten.

Dodie Wellshear

January 12, 2007

I knew Shirley as a friend and fellow advocate for children. She had an incredible zest for life, a great sense of humor, and gave generously of herself to all around her. She truly helped paved the way for generations of women behind her, me included. I will miss her, but thank God for the good she added to this world. I wish Moe (the greatest Bloody Mary maker!) and the rest of her family much comfort in the days and months ahead.

Anna & Stuart Yoho

January 12, 2007

Please accept our deepest sympathies.

Franni

January 12, 2007

Dearest Josie and family, I only barely knew Shirley. But I do know some of her family; intelligent, humorous, kind,and compassionate, like their Momma.Much love, best wishes and prayers...Franni

Fawn Turner

January 12, 2007

What a beautiful person, Shirley will be missed greatly by all who had the honor of knowing her. I have never met anyone as kind, gentle and caring as she. My condolence to her family during this time.

Adrian & Kathryn Apel

January 11, 2007

Shirley & I were classmates in 7th & 8th gr., when I lived in Lyndon---1934/36, some 70 years ago. Shirley lived just down the street from the Presbyterian Manse. We had many, many good times during those two + years. Then years later she was a classmate of my wife Kathryn Burkepile at KU, around 1946.

Ginger Breedlove

January 11, 2007

Shirley was an incredible force in changing the face of maternal child health for families and newborns in Kansas. Her work to protect and serve families will be remembered by all who had the fortune to know her at KDHE and staff of the Holisitic Birth and Growth Center. Women and families benefited from her steadfast advocacy, and gentle guidance for establishing birthing centers in Kansas. She was a woman I admired and will always hold as one of my mentors for professional development and personal growth. I will miss you Shirley, and send my wishes for a beautiful celebration of your life to Moe, Josie, Kaye and Mike. Love Ginger

Jim Buffon

January 11, 2007

What an incredible lady ! She always wanted to know how you were doing in life and if she could do anything,if you needed help. Great wife,mother,sister,aunt,friend, and person. My love to all in the extended family. Cousin Jim

Dan Crow

January 11, 2007

What a great lady! The world is a better place because of Shirley Norris. We will all miss her.

Kate McNeive

January 11, 2007

Dear Kaye, your mom was a lovely person and I have fond memories of her as our scout leader. Love to your family, Kate McNeive

David Beard

January 11, 2007

Shirley and I were professional colleagues and personal friends for thirty-four years while I was employed in a similar position in Texas. I always held her in great respect and a lot of affection and will certainly miss her. She was truly a remarkable lady and America's children owe her a great debt of gratitude. David Beard, Austin, Texas

Larry & Pam Moss

January 11, 2007

In ways big and small, Shirley's life changed our world and left it a better place, she touched many hearts and will never be forgotten. I hope you fine comfort in knowing how many people share your sadness.

You're in our prayers.

Nancy Engler

January 11, 2007

Shirley will be missed by everyone at GUMC. I enjoyed takeing the Christian Beliver class with her. She always added so much to the discussion. I learned so much from her.

Chris Johnson

January 11, 2007

I really enjoyed working with Shirley.

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