Nancy “Nan” Norton passed over peacefully on January 17, 2019 after very courageously fighting first neuroendocrine cancer, then leukemia for nearly five years.
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Nan is survived by her husband, Mark; children, Nolan of Lawrence, KS and Wesley (Raven) of Spring, TX; grandson, Luke Solis of Kingwood, TX; mother, Sue Shugars, and sister, Peggy Shugars, both of Lexington, KY; mother-in-law, Edie Norton of Waddy, KY; sisters-in-law, Kelly Janssen (Mike) of Louisville, KY; Teri Thompson (Tim) of Waddy, KY; Debbie Hughes (Joey) of Crestwood, KY; brother-in-law, Chris Morrison (Rhonda) of New Albany, IN and many other friends and family left to remember Nan’s friendship and love.
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Nan was born October 6, 1962 in Lexington, KY to Pat and Sue Shugars. A graduate of Berea College, Nan met Mark at the University of Kentucky while earning her master’s degree. Their first date was the 1984 New Year’s Eve service at Lexington 1st UMC … six weeks later, Nan and Mark were engaged. They married December 21, 1985, one year and three days after Mark asked Nan for her phone number a few minutes before they sat for a final exam. Fortunately, he did because the next semester Nan shifted to a new master’s program elsewhere on campus and it’s very likely they would not have crossed paths again. Since that first quick conversation (and Christ filling Mark with courage to speak to Nan!), God has always been present in their life together and they’ve been best friends all their days.
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Nan always placed family and friends before her own needs. She loved being a Mom, pausing her career for several years to instead be home with Nolan and Wes. She enjoyed volunteering at school and serving in the nursery at her church, Kingwood UMC. She returned to teaching in public schools, but eventually found her true joy at KUMC’s School for Little Children where she was a pre-school teacher for seven blessed years. Children, her own and other folks, were always the delight of her days!
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During Nan’s fight with cancer and leukemia, her journey was never alone.
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Footprints in the Sand
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One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
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After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.
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This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You’d walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”
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He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you.
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.
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Nan always knew Jesus was at her side, sometimes in His presence around her, and always in the love received from His earth-bound ministers of family, friends, church, and health care. And even as we tried to minister to Nan, she always ministered more to us through her smile, her care, and most of all, her love.
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Visitation and Memorial Service
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Visitation and memorial services will be Kingwood United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Friday, January 25, 2019 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 1:00pm with a reception to follow. All are welcome to join in the celebration of Nan’s life.
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In lieu of flowers, Nan and Mark ask for donations to KUMC’s School for Little Children. Please make checks to Kingwood United Methodist Church and note in Memo line “Nan Norton | School for Little Children”. KUMC’s address is 1799 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood, TX 77339; office: 281.358.2137
