Biography

AUBURN- Jennie (Kirschner) Norris, 93, of Auburn died Tuesday in UMass Memorial Medical Center after a long and courageous battle with heart disease. Her husband Louis Norris predeceased her in 1978. She leaves her sons, Richard Norris of California, Stephen Norris of Illinois, and her grandson Geoffrey Norris of New York. She also leaves behind her grandson Tim Norris and his wife Kim of Auburn, who cared for her in the final years of her life, with help from Jennie’s four great grandchildren Alex, Leah, Joanne and Haley. She also leaves her adoring nieces and nephew, Joan, Barbara and James Wallen, and many cousins and friends in New York and Massachusetts.
She was born in Putnam, CT; she was the daughter of the late William and Fannie (Smuckler) Kirschner. She was educated in the New York City Schools.
Mrs. Norris worked as an executive secretary for Arbitrator Arthur Stark, and as an office manager for Walker International for many years prior to her retirement.
She held many leadership positions in organizations like the Bronx Community Council, the Hillel Lodge of the Free Sons of Israel, and later in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Westchester, NY, where she served as President of the Board of Trustees. She was most recently a member of the First Unitarian Church of Worcester.
She enjoyed writing, was an avid reader, and loved to cook for family and friends. She attended many concerts, musicals and shows in New York. In her younger days, she spent summers on Martha’s Vineyard where she enjoyed playing golf.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Saturday from 4-6 PM in the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central St. Auburn. Her funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 6PM Saturday following visiting hours. Burial will take place Sunday in Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, NY. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Jennie’s name to the First Unitarian Church of Worcester, 90 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.

Visiting Hours

Saturday March 6, 2010, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Britton-Wallace Funeral Home
Click for Map and Directions

Prayer Service

Saturday March 6, 2010, 6:00 PM at Britton-Wallace Funeral Home
Click for Map and Directions