Maryann Reiss Norton May 29, 1937 – October 31, 2021

Mom always loved an adventure. She has now gone on to her greatest one yet.

Maryann Reiss Norton passed away peacefully at Pleasant Bay Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

on October 31st at the age of 84.

Maryann was born to the late Walter Lawrence Reiss and Evelyn Wager Reiss on May 29,1937

in Bronx, New York. She attended Ursuline Academy and went on to graduate with a degree in

Political Science from Trinity College in Washington DC.

Whether you called her mom, nana, sister, aunt, or just friend, she had a life well lived. She was

an amazing woman. Fluent in several languages and having lived and traveled all over the world

from Egypt to Ireland, California, Tennessee, and finally Cape Cod, Maryann had so many great

stories. From Outward Bound and being dropped off in the middle of nowhere left to survive on

her own for three (3) days, to becoming a white-water raft guide going down the Kern and Snake

Rivers, she loved life.

A voracious reader and lover of history, she was so smart and could talk to you about almost any

subject. During dinner parties you could watch her as she would go from group to group

effortlessly participating and enjoying all the conversations. She was one heck of a debater who

could hold her own with anyone. She had a special way of politely and productively disagreeing

with you and at the end of the night hugging you tight with a big smile, setting aside any

differences because what mattered was the relationship. She was witty, intelligent, classy, and

warm hearted with personality plus.

Mom loved to entertain. One of the first things we learned growing up was how to set a formal

table. With a smile on her face, mom welcomed everyone and made them feel at home. Our

home was that house in the neighborhood everyone hung out at. Not only because of moms

cooking, but because she just made you feel cared for. She always had an open-door policy, if

you needed a meal, an ear to listen or some sage advice, she was there for you. During holidays,

Thanksgiving in particular mom would always invite those that didn't have family or may be

separated by distance to celebrate with us. She would reach out to Camp Pendleton and invite

soldiers that couldn't get back home to their families. She always wanted people to know they

had a place to go and didn't need to be alone. There was a lot of love and laughter in our home.

She was a woman of great faith in Jesus. A true believer and often said "We are just passing

through".

We were lucky to have her as our mom. She loved family! She loved our family history and

cherished it immensely. Nana was a title she carried with pride. She loved our family photos.

Behind every picture was a story. She was the walking historian to our family ancestry. It was

always amazing how she could keep track of every sibling and cousin in order going back

generations. A great storyteller she painted the picture of all the accomplishments and hurdles

our family overcame to get us to where we are now. She taught us to be grateful of our family's

hard work and sacrifice and to continue that on for all our future generations. She was quite the

motivator.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Walter Lawrence Reiss Jr, and ex-spouse John

William Norton.

She is survived by her children, Christopher Norton of Woodlands, Texas, Michael Norton of

San Diego, California, Sharon Norton-Jacosky and her husband Mike Jacosky of Temecula,

California. Maryann also leaves her beloved younger brother, Paul William Reiss. She is also

survived by her six (6) grandchildren that she loved with all her heart, Sarah, Rachel, Kyle,

Chase, Christopher, and Mary Elizabeth.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, go do a good deed, share a smile and be kind to one another. Mom would love

that!

Obituary lovingly written by the family of Maryann Norton