Jane attended Border Star Elementary and graduated in 1960 from Southwest High School where she participated in student council, the choir and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She had a core group of high school friends, the Yada's, that she traveled with yearly up until her death.
After graduating high school Jane headed south to Texas to attend TCU but transferred to Kansas University to finish up the last three years of her elementary education degree. She was also a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority there. This proved to be a pivotal time for Jane because she lived in the Theta house which was right next door to the Beta house which is where she met the love of her life, Joe L Norton, aka ‘Chicken’ .
They married on December 19, 1964 in Kansas City, Missouri, at Linwood Presbyterian and Jane supported Joe with her teaching job through law school.
On June 4, 1966 they welcomed their first daughter Sallie Ben. Son Jay came along on November 26, 1968 and last, but not least, Sarah Jane finished up their little family on April 27, 1970.
In Olathe, Jane immersed herself in motherhood and volunteer work. She was one of the founders of Olathe Junior Service League in 1969 and continued that work for the next fifty years. Jane ran for the Olathe School Board twice and was elected both times. Jane also picked up volunteer work at Olathe Hospital where she served on the Charitable Foundation Board since its inception.
After Joe passed in 2008, Jane threw herself into Church of the Resurrection in Leawood where she volunteered filling backpacks, served communion and was a liaison for Troost Elementary, where she worked in the classroom. She added Christmas in October and Bless This School where she did rehabs on homes and schools.
Jane always surrounded herself with amazing people: The Tan-Tara-Ten, The Yada's and the teachers from Boozeday Tuesday. She was a friend to all who knew her.
Jane is preceded in death by her husband Joe and parents Jim and Dorothy Bushfield. She is survived by her big sister Ann Dale, children Sallie Ben, Jay and Sarah Jane, 8 grandchildren, and her dear friend Bob Sturdevant.
There will be a private family interment where Jane will be reunited with Joe and then as soon as the pandemic ban is lifted there will be a funeral and a Celebration of Life where Janey's life can be celebrated in the spirit that she would want.
Donations in Jane's honor can be made to Church of the Resurrection. Checks payable to Church of the Resurrection with Backpacks for Hunger in the memo line. Mail to church, Attn: Finance Dept. 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, KS 66224
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