Jennifer Norton

1969 - 2016

Jennifer Wierwille Norton passed away Saturday, March 5, 2016. She was born in Toledo, Ohio, on Nov. 24, 1969, daughter of Richard Wierwille and Linda Markell Wierwille, of Wooster, Ohio.

Jen was a dedicated mother, daughter, partner and friend who taught us all how to be a better mortal. Jen had a lifetime commitment to education, both her own and others. Born in Toledo, she moved to Minnetonka, Minn. and eventually to Wooster, Ohio, where she graduated from high school as an accomplished violinist, dancer and swimmer. She was a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College, where she studied history and French and spent a year in France with the Sweet Briar College. She earned a Master's Degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University, and her teacher's certificate from the Upper Valley Education Institute.

Jen believed in the responsibility to serve and dedicated her professional life to preserving and enhancing the prospects of the next generation of children. Jen served as a Justice and Peace intern at the United Church of Christ Social Action office in Washington DC, soon after college. She worked as the grass roots advocacy director for the American Public Health Association in Washington, DC. She was health policy director for NH Governor Jeanne Shaheen, where she staffed the State's Kid's Cabinet. She served as the policy director for New Futures, a substance abuse treatment and prevention advocacy group, and worked with many partners across the state to build the Children's Behavioral Health Collaborative, among other roles and jobs.

She found her truest avocation when she taught third grade at Broken Ground School in Concord, after receiving her teaching certificate in 2013 while undergoing treatment for colon cancer. She lived graciously and with courage, conviction and hope, and had an uncanny ability to build community and trust. She was attentive to and aware of the needs of many, and in her words and actions encouraged us all to reach a bit higher. Neighbors and friends, colleagues in her public policy avocation, and her fellow teachers all agree that she left a legacy of community that will last, the effects of which are still rippling out.

She loved family most, and enjoyed nothing more than filling her house with family on any holiday, around a piano, playing violin, or watching her kids play their instruments. Water was a close second, and she was nowhere more comfortable than in the many lakes, rivers and oceans she swam in with her children and friends. She loved to hike, Nordic ski, bike, walk with friends, travel to new places, drive long distances, and was desperate not to miss any opportunity to learn something new, share adventure and love with her friends and her family. And she loved the feeling of the sun on her face. While hiking, walking, or skiing, friends and family would find themselves talking to themselves, as she had stopped to close her eyes and turn her face to the sun.

She is survived by her husband, Steve Norton and their children, Anders and Greta of Concord; her parents, Richard and Linda Wierwille; her brother, Michael Wierwille and his wife, Noey and their two kids, Calvin and Vivian; her brother, Jeremy Wierwille; her uncle, Bob Wierwille; cousins, Kelly Brown, Jamie Hanna and Janel Schwartz; her uncle, Fred Wierwille and his wife, Cindy; cousins, Becky Wierwille, Katie Roddy and Kale Wierwille; her uncle, Jim Markell and Bonnie Markell; cousin, Rebecca Markell; and her uncle and aunt Tom and Melea Markell.

Gifts in the memory of Jen may be made to the Jen Wierwille Norton Next Generation charitable fund at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, nhcf.org.

A memorial service honoring her life will be held on Saturday, April 2, at 2 p.m. at South Church in Concord.