Longtime Melrose nurse
Published January 8, 2021
MELROSE — Lorraine A. “Lorry” Norris passed away Dec. 20, 2020, at her home in Melrose with her family by her side.
Lorry was born on July 21, 1930, to John and Martha (Bush) Langenfeld in Newark, N.J.
Lorry completed the Red Cross Home Nursing Course in Chatham, N.J., and received her B.S. in Nursing from Simmons College. She began her career at the New York City Hospital.
Lorry wed Donald R. Norris in June 1954 in Chatham, N.J., before joining Donald in North Carolina, where he served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
After settling in Melrose, she raised her three children. She continued nursing at local hospitals, and the City of Melrose, as a school nurse and finally with the Public Health Office until her retirement.
Lorry and Don traveled extensively across the U.S., the Caribbean and throughout Europe. One summer the family journeyed across the U.S., camping, and visiting National Parks along the way. They enjoyed researching their genealogy from the South, Germany and England.
She enjoyed playing bridge, solving crossword puzzles, and was an ardent fan of “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” Her favorite times were summer reunions at Merrymeeting Lake with her brother’s family, Mother’s Day at Chauncey Creek, and spending holidays with family. Lorry kept in close touch with her classmates from Chatham and Simmons.
She spent 64 happy years in Melrose, and many knew her as a loyal friend, compassionate and caring neighbor, and loving mother. Lorry was vivacious and full of life and will be missed by many.
She was predeceased by her parents and her brother John A. Langenfeld. Lorry is survived by her husband of 66 years, Donald; children Nancy A. Norris and fiancé Harvey S. Woodside of Tilton, N.H., David B. Norris and wife Angie of Wahiawa, Hawaii, and Joanne E. Norris of Concord, N.H.; grandchildren Jeffrey Klem and wife Ashley of Concord, N.H., Kathryn Klem and husband Zachary Robichaud of Washington, D.C.; in addition to nephews, nieces, extended family, and many friends and neighbors.
Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made to the Susan G. Komen Memorial or the American Diabetes Association for T1 research.
