Obituary: Norris, Jodie ( Joanne F. Ring)
Age 76
November 14, 1935 - August 10, 2012
Jodie was born at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane where she lived the majority of her life.
She was a graduate of North Central High School and attended Washington State University.
During her senior year of high school, Jodie being the wonderful stage performer that we all knew she was, fibbed about her age to take a job with the telephone company.
Joanne was an operator for a few years until she transferred to the engineering department.
There she met the love of her life, Ed Norris, whom she married in 1960 and they had three children.
During these years, she became a “Polaroid Girl” in the world of modeling.
Other interests included the stage, where Jodie was active in the civic theater and dreamt of one day being on Broadway.
Many memories were made at home around the pool or at annual family vacations to Diamond Lake and the San Juan Islands.
In later years Ed and Jodie spent much time enjoying family at Long Lake’s Nine Mile Resort where they maintained a motor home and boat.
Jodie loved golf and once won the SAGA in her flight.
Football was her passion and she bet on every pro game and some college games with her good pal Bob Rooney.
At the end of the season, they settled up with bottles of adult beverages.
Although she only attended WSU for one year; Jodie was a diehard Coug for life, with a love for the school and football program.
In 1977, her husband Ed was transferred to Tacoma.
After taking many years away from work to raise the family, Jodie again returned to the phone company for another five years.
She had an extraordinary sense of humor but with a “no B.S.”
attitude which earned her the nickname, “The Toad”.
Upon returning to Spokane in the mid 1980’s, Jodie purchased and managed the Big Foot Tavern in north Spokane.
Several years after leaving the tavern, Jodie developed Osteoporosis and the many surgeries failed to help.
Although her last eight years became increasingly intolerable, Jodie’s presence was always felt as warm and loving.
She was a tough fighter and did her best to keep the inner pain she was going through from those around her.
Family and friend were everything to Jodie and her sense of love, hope, and faith rubbed off on everyone who knew her.
Although she spent her last two months in her bed with her husband and children at her side, we will always remember our Mother, Wife, Grandmother, Aunt, and great friends as a Broadway star who will always be in our hearts.
Jodie had a very peaceful passing when she went to be with the Lord.
Her husband, three children, and a grandchild were with her at the end.
Preceded in death were her mother and father John and Margaret Ring and sister Mary Olson.
Joanne is survived by three amazing children; sons Greg and Brian Norris, and daughter Connie Ostlund.
Jodie was Grandmother to Erica and Aaron Norris, and Danielle Wood.
Extended family members include but are not limited to brother in law Vern Olson, niece’s Patty Oates and Michelle Distelhorst, and nephew Jim Latusky.
Our family would like to extend our gratitude to the Hospice of Spokane for making Joanne’s last month as comfortable as possible.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Hospice of Spokane.
You never know when you will need them, but they are always there for you.
Visitation will be Thursday and Friday 10-5PM at Heritage and a Funeral Service 11:00AM Saturday August 18, 2012 at Heritage Chapel with Happy Watkins officiating.
Interment will follow at Riverside Memorial Park.