Gloria F Norton

Otter Lake_ Gloria F. (Wenham) Norton, a long time resident of Frog Pond Lane, widow of John B. passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2014, at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Utica, after a brief illness. She was born in Utica on September 10, 1927, a daughter of Herman and Johanna Miller Wenham. Gloria grew up in Utica where she was educated in local schools, before her graduation with the Class of 1944, from St. Frances DeSales High School in Utica. In 1925, her parents constructed a camp on Otter Lake, and Gloria spent her summers there from 1928, until her marriage on June 2, 1956 with John B. (Buzz) Norton at St. Mary of the Snows Church, Otter Lake. Mr. Norton died on April 25, 1998. For many years Mrs. Norton was employed as a partner with John's sister, Marlene in the operation of Standard Supply Co. of Otter Lake, a wholesale and retail merchandise business which was founded in 1914, by Gloria's husband's father, John A. Norton. In the later years of the store operation, she and her son John were partners in the store operation, which they sold in 2002. After her retirement from Standard Supply; for twelve years, Mrs. Norton was also employed in the gift shop at the Adirondack Scenic Railroad at Thendara Station. Gloria was a member of St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church, Otter Lake, where she served faithfully as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister; for a time she was a church trustee. She was also member of the Otter Lake Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. The love of her life was her family, and she also greatly enjoyed cooking, knitting, crocheting and was an avid reader. Gloria will be affectionately remembered as a "lifelong Angel of the community of Otter Lake." She is survived by three sons: John G., Otter Lake, Douglas and his wife, Debbie, Sanbornton, N.H., Donald and wife Vanessa, Woodgate; three daughters, Carol and husband, Bill Wenzel, East Greenbush, NY., Jackie and husband Bob Kawa, New Berlin, NY., Joanne and her fianc Keith Grygiel, Holland Patent, thirteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Gloria's family expresses a heartfelt note of thanks and appreciation to both the Otter Lake Fire Department and Old Forge Ambulance, the staffs of the St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Utica, Emergency Room, and I.C.U. and a special note of appreciation to Dr. Oleg Dulkin, for the kind and compassionate care they all rendered to Gloria. A prayer service will be on Thursday at 9:45 A.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary of the Snows Church of Otter Lake, where Rev. Donald H. Karlen, will officiate. Interment will be in Boonville Cemetery, in the spring. Calling hours Wednesday 1-4 & 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary of the Snows Church of Otter Lake, in the form of Mass cards, for Masses to be said in Gloria's memory, at St. Mary of the Snows Church, or to Christ Our Hope Catholic Parish, (for St. Mary of the Snows Church) c/o Parish Office at108 Charles St. Boonville, NY, 13309, the Otter Lake Fire Department 13853 State Rt. 28, Otter Lake, NY 13338, or to the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, 321 Main St. Union Station, Utica, NY 13501. All are invited to attend a luncheon that will follow her Mass of Christian Burial at the Otter Lake Fire Department.