Jennie Sage Norman

Jennie Sage Norman
Sept. 21, 1946 - March 4, 2022
Jennie Sage Norman, of Portland, Ore., passed away March 4, 2022 following a stroke that occurred over two weeks prior. Her children, Alex and Sage, were by her side in her final days, and were able to facilitate visits and loving goodbyes from close friends and family.
Jennie Lou Sage was born Sept. 21, 1946, in Phoenix, Ariz. Her family soon relocated to Bellevue, Wash., where she attended kindergarten through high school. Jennie received her BA in Sociology from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and her Masters of Social Work from Smith College in Northampton, Mass.
In her career as a social worker, Jennie specialized in supporting adolescents and young adults, first as a psychotherapist and Chief Social Worker in a group practice in Framingham, Mass., before moving to Portland in 1979, where she began her own practice. Jennie became an expert in short term therapy and duo-therapy of children and was published in the psychiatric literature on these topics. After ending her practice, Jennie continued to find joy and meaning in helping others, through volunteering at Chapman and Hayhurst Elementary Schools as well as supporting families of patients in the ICU at Good Samaritan Hospital. In her later years she adopted and dearly loved two rescue dogs, who preceded her in death.
Alex and Sage remember Jennie as a warm, fun, and caring mother who loved their frequent outings to the Oregon Coast, Sauvie Island, and hiking trails around the Pacific Northwest. Jennie was outgoing, giving, and charismatic and made many close friends during her 42 years in Portland.
Jennie is survived by her sister, Cindi, of Bellevue, Wash.; her son, Alex, of Portland; and her daughter, Sage; and granddaughter, Zoë, of Brooklyn, N.Y.
A celebration of life will be held April 22, 2022. In lieu of flowers, Jennie would have loved for donations in her honor to be made to Rose Haven Shelter for women, children, and gender diverse folks or the Oregon Humane Society.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits