Jane Elizabeth "Bette" Norris

Jane Elizabeth "Bette" Norris, 87, died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday January 11th, 2024 in her home in Franklin, Massachusetts.
Bette was born in Brooks, Maine on October 8, 1936, the daughter of Harold and Ethel Payson. She spent her childhood in Maine, where she attended elementary school and high school, graduating at age 16 after skipping two grades..
Bette was a capable and diligent student, continuing her education at Fisher Junior College in Boston, Massachusetts where she earned an associates degree and later served on the Board of Trustees. She worked as a legal secretary after graduation. She had a fierce attention to detail and could spot a grammatical error with her eagle eye. She was a crossword master and likely undefeated in Scrabble, although it is possible she may have let her grandchildren win once in a while.
Bette's children were the jewels of her life. Her role as a mother was her highest honor, and it opened the way for her to become a mother figure to many young people over the years. Bette's door was always open; her love never knew the bounds of blood and her orbit reached wide parameters. Bette held many roles to many people, blood related or not, she may have been mother, aunt, mentor, friend, golf buddy or driving coach. Whatever the role, Bette had a natural ability to enter someone's life, and effortlessly extend love and understand what they needed.
When her son Lonnie began kindergarten, Bette got a job driving the school bus. This was one of the ways she stayed closely connected to her children's lives, knowing what mischief they were up to before their plan was even fully formed. She worked her way up through this job and eventually served as the Vice President of Safety and Training for Laidlaw Transportation, where she was responsible for the safety of 2 million students per day. It was a good fit because Bette was already a caring and meticulous person.
Bette was career driven, independent, and accomplished at a time when the world often told women that they could not do both. You could call her a trailblazer on whose shoulders many others, particularly women, stand even to this day. She was savvy, spirited, and patient; she loved chocolate, hated spicy food, and enjoyed a chilled glass (or two) of Sauvignon Blanc. She was self-reliant, and always practical. She kept a full cookie jar in her kitchen and a stocked toolbox in her woodshed. She was an early adopter of the Subaru Outback trend, and a lover of LL Bean. She had a twinkle in her eye that always reminded you she may be up to some kind of mischief.
After retiring, Bette enjoyed many years in her family home in Castine, Maine, where she hosted children, grandchildren, and extended family. Bette was an accomplished seawoman and captain of the Pickle and then the Jenny D. She could be seen driving her golf cart up to the Castine Golf Club or tooling into town on her red motor scooter to grab a lobster roll at the local seafood shack. She was famous for her cream-cheese pies and chocolate fudge.
In Castine, everyone knew her beloved Shih-tzus, Eddie and Little Girl, who were known to escort themselves down to the T&C Market for a free MilkBone. But mostly, everyone knew Bette. As recently as last summer, she would sit on any porch and strike up a conversation connecting with old and making new friends.
Later, she relocated to Garden Street in Franklin, MA to be closer to family – her daughter Jen and grandson Dominick lived across the yard from her. There she cultivated a new loving community and enjoyed the companionship of her Shi-Poo, Charcoal, who took up sitting with her on the porch where they watched and met new people and dogs.. In this way, she served in an unofficial capacity as the mayor of Garden Street. Although her heart was always in Castine, she shared with loved ones that her years in Franklin were some of the happiest of her life. On January 11, 2023, just two days after her late son Lonnie's birthday, Bette was called to her heavenly home.
She is survived by her devoted daughter Jennifer Norris, her dear nieces Meg Russell and Cindy Payson; her foster son Steve Jaworski; her beloved grandchildren Lucy Norris, Lila Norris, Dominick Norris, Natalie Russell, and Payson Russell; who brought immeasurable joy to her life along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends..
She was predeceased by her beloved son L. Joseph "Lonnie" Norris, her parents and siblings Col. Paul Payson,, Dawn Safford,, Rev. Robert Payson, Richard Payson and Patricia Payson. She is also predeceased by her former husband Lawrence H. Norris.
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday February 3 at 10:30 am at First Universalist Society in Franklin,262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, MA 02038.
In in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bette's honor to the Hatch Community Youth Fund in Castine https://thehatchfund.org or to First Universalist Society Franklin https://fusf.org/give/