Doris Jean Norton

Doris “Jean” Norton was born in Waldron, Arkansas on February 26, 1928 to Harry Vachel Mitchell and Ethel Elzada "Doris" (Walker) Mitchell. Her siblings include Robert and John Mitchell (both deceased) and Mary Avey of Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Jean fought a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease and was called home on November 17th, 2018 in Sierra Vista, Arizona at the age of 90. She is survived by her husband, Theo Norton; children Ken, Debbie, and Kathy; Theo’s children, Ruby Thomas and spouse De, Roy Norton and his wife Damaris, Lee Norton and Phyllis Norton; their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jean’s children are Richard Mitchell, Sandra Mitchell, Mary Boucher and her husband Dennis, Ken Mitchell, Ron Mitchell, Debbie Mitchell, and Kathy Rhodes. She was blessed with 8 grandchildren, David Boucher and wife Miko, Michael Boucher and wife Danielle, Kristi Gonzales and husband Vince, Leana McDougal and husband Scott, Blake Whittaker, Megan Whittaker, Joey Rhodes, Katie Rhodes and 4 great-grandchildren, Tyler Kirkland, Ashley Kirkland, Luke Boucher, and Barrett McDougal.

Jean was preceded in death by her children, Richard, Sandra, Mary and Ronnie, and grandson Tyler,

Jean met her first husband Oliver Mitchell, in 1943 and became an Air Force spouse and homemaker, traveling with him to Puerto Rico, Florida, Kansas, and finally settling in Denver, Colorado in 1955. She met her second husband, Harrie Chartier in Denver and they married in 1968. In 1972 they moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where Harrie passed in 1985. She met and married her last husband, Theo Norton in Sierra Vista, Arizona in 2001, where she lived until her passing.

Jean was a loving and devoted Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma. She loved decorating her homes in beautiful and crafty ways. She was a great cook and especially enjoyed hosting wonderful family Thanksgivings for many years in her home. Although family was always her first priority, Jean also worked a number of jobs to support them. She worked at Sears in Scottsdale, Arizona for many years as a service writer in the automotive department. She won many awards for her excellent customer service skills. She crafted and sold beautiful macramé projects from her home run business, Macrame by D.J. Jean was also a top notch Avon representative, earning the company’s highest honor of President’s Club for exceptional sales for many years over her Avon career. As her grandchildren came along, she took loving care of the local ones while their parents worked.

Jean loved vegetable and flower gardening, and also had quite a green thumb for indoor plants.

She kept the Hallmark company in business with her own ministry of sending letters and thoughtful gifts for all occasions to those special to her. She rarely missed a birthday or anniversary, and made so many people feel special and loved through her simple acts of kindness.

Jean was a rare, selfless individual who never gave up, always looked on the bright side, and wouldn’t say a bad word about anyone. She was the essence of compassion and showed us all the beauty of unconditional love. She will be dearly missed and forever loved by all who were blessed to have known her.