Mary Norris Wurth

1930 - 2024

Mary Norris Wurth

April 17, 1930 - September 29, 2024

Olathe, Kansas - Mary Norris Wurth of Wichita, KS died peacefully at the age of 94 on September 29th, surrounded by 4 generations of her family.

Mary was born in Kansas City, MO in 1930 to Helen and Spencer Norris. She attended, with her sister Gloria, the Loretta Girls Academy, St. James, and the Ursuline Catholic Boarding Academy. Her summers were often spent with her beloved Aunt Lil, who introduced Mary to life on a working farm and a love for the arts - laying the foundations for a life grounded in hard work and uplifted by all things beautiful.

Mary was fortunate to have been taught early by supportive nuns that encouraged her to aim high, leading her to educational achievements not common for women of her time. She obtained a BA in Education and a Masters equivalent in Speech Pathology at Wichita State University, allowing for a life of professional service to adults and children with significant speech disabilities. It was within this arena of service that she met a fellow traveler in speech pathology and her true love, Charles Wurth. They married June 6, 1953, had five children, and set about co-authoring a life filled with family, service, faith and adventure. Mary's life was a sustained effort to extend her hand and heart, all while being the most stylish in the room. She did so in part by working to expand the influence of the Institute of Logopedics (now Heartspring) by supporting Chuck's effort to grow a compassionate and successful nursing home business, by working for and funding many Catholic sponsored charities, by volunteering at ESL centers to help those who were new to our world, and by teaching children and adults why art and artists matter.

Mary's work for the betterment of others came from a place of optimism that the world offered wonderment, and it was our duty to help others experience this in their own way. She found happiness in her life through her shared love with Chuck, through her family and friends, her extensive travels, her daily swims, her evening walks, her nights of star gazing, her countless books, her steps on the dance floor, her laughter with Gloria, and her lifelong affair with music and art. All accompanied by the widest of smiles, affirming she had found a way to live fully and faithfully. And now for us, in her name, to find the same.

Mary is survived by her children Charles, Paul, Joan, David and Douglas, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Contributions may be sent to Downing and Lahey or made to the Wichita Art Museum.

A Rosary will be held at Church of the Resurrection on Saturday, November 2 at 10:30 a.m. with services following at 11 a.m. Address: 4910 N Woodlawn, Bel Aire, KS 67220.