Irene Buchanan Norris

Irene Buchanan Norris died on November 20, 2022, at The Fairfax retirement community in Fort Belvoir, VA. She was 97 years old.

Born on August 31, 1925, in Shreveport, LA, Irene was the daughter of Alma Ratcliff Buchanan and William Montgomery Buchanan, Jr. She grew up in Shreveport, graduated from C.E. Byrd High School, and spent her first year of college in Maryland. She then returned to Louisiana to complete her studies, enrolling at Sophie Newcomb College, Tulane University, in New Orleans. She joined Kappa Kappa Gamma social sorority and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She graduated from Newcomb in 1946 with a B.A. degree.

While a college student in 1944, Irene met her future husband, John J. Norris, an Army officer and recent West Point graduate who was in training in Texas before deploying for Europe during World War II. Irene and John kept in touch during the war, reunited after its end, and married in 1947.

Irene embraced her new life married to a career Army officer. She and John raised three children during their marriage. Once the children were in college or high school, Irene pursued a new opportunity — an accounting position at Xerox Corporation, a job she held for over a decade.

In 1973, Irene and John settled in the Riverwood section of Mount Vernon, VA — their home for the next 41 years. Irene was an active member of her community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Riverwood Homeowners Association in the 1980s, including a term as president. She joined the Riverwood Garden Club, holding various offices, including president from 1991-1994. In addition to gardening and flower arranging, Irene enjoyed traveling, entertaining, researching family genealogy, and playing bridge with her neighbors.

Irene is survived by her three children — Irene (Phil) Catania, Nancy Sharpe, and John Norris, Jr.; four grandchildren — Elizabeth Langston, Philip Catania, Laura Catania, and Sarah Sharpe; and three great-grandsons — Will, John, and Rob Langston. She was preceded in death by John, her husband of 69 years, and son-in-law George Sharpe.

A lifelong Presbyterian, Irene was a member of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria, VA, for over 47 years. A memorial service and reception will be held at the Meeting House on February 9. She will be interred later that day at Arlington National Cemetery with her husband John. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Irene’s memory can be made to the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 323 South Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.