Retired nurse who loved the Red Sox, singing and golfing
PEABODY — Marietta J. (Harney) Norton, of Peabody, formerly of Malden passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8 at age 97.
Born in Boston on October 1, 1927, she was the only daughter of five children of the late Edward F. Harney and Irene T. (Campbell) Harney.
Marietta graduated from Malden High School where she was a member of the equestrian club as well as one of the first female cheerleaders. She was also a marching member of the Sacred Heart Drum and Bugle Corps. After high school, she received her degree as a Registered Nurse from Whidden Memorial Hospital Nursing School in Everett. After many years working as an RN, she retired at 61 from the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Jamaica Plain as a Head Nurse.
Marietta was a longtime resident of Malden before retiring with her husband Marty to Sarasota, FL where they enjoyed many years of leisure with friends and visits from their many children and grandchildren. They returned to Massachusetts and settled into Kaplan Estates in Peabody where they enjoyed the company of new friends.
Marietta loved to sing and was a member of the Sweet Adelines Chorus for several years. She traveled with the chorus across the country for competition and around the world for pleasure. She loved playing cards, bowling, golf, needlepoint and trivia and was a huge Red Sox fan.
Marietta was married to Leo M. “Marty” Norton Jr. for 72 years before Marty passed away in February 2021. In addition to Marty, she was preceded in death by her brothers Edward, Robert, Donald and Roger Harney; as well as her daughter-in-law Sandy Norton; and grandson Andrew Norton.
She is survived by their 11 children: Gary Norton and his late wife Sandy of VT; Patricia Dunn of Andover; Arlene Santagate and her husband Angelo of Revere; Daniel Norton and his wife Kimberly of Malden; Lawrence Norton and his wife Maureen of Saugus; Katherine Norton-Edge and her husband William of NH; Susan Norton and her husband Peter Payne of VT; Gail Damon and her husband Frank of NH; Leo M. Norton, III and his life partner Rose Prestera of Malden; Brian Norton of Lynn; and Ann Marie Norton and her husband Chris Burleson of Hudson.
They were blessed with 13 grandchildren: Matthew Norton, Kimberly Snow, Lisa Moreland, Dina Fowler, Stephanie Norton, Andrew Norton (deceased), Irene Ellis, Tara Soto, William M. Edge, Allison Edge, Frank Damon IV, Craig Damon and Shawn Damon; 21 great-grandchildren: Sadie, Henry, and Grace Norton; David, Alexis and Zachary Brown; Madison and Mia Moreland; Brooke and Dylan Fowler; Andrew Norton; Amelie Ellis, Maximo, Benjamin and Giovanni Soto; Evie and Penny Edge; Frank V, Tyler and Melianna Damon; and Parker Digan; and 2 great-great grandchildren: Amira and Maximo Soto. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to gather in honor of Marietta during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Wednesday, December 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Thursday, December 12 at 8:45 a.m. before leaving in procession to St. Joseph’s Church, 770 Salem St., Malden for her funeral Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment at Forest Dale Cemetery, Malden. If you wish, donations in memory of Marietta were made to Bread of Life, 54 Eastern Ave., Malden, MA 02148, breadoflifemalden.org. For online tribute, visit RobininsonFuneralHome.com.
