Shirley Norton
Canton-
Shirley Sagen Norton, 94, of Canton went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at United Helpers Maplewood.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
She was born on July 25, 1931 in Syracuse NY the daughter of the late Chalmer and Flora (Fisher) Sagen. She raised in Skaneateles NY and graduated Cornell University in 1952. Also in 1952, she married the late Keith Norton and moved to Canton NY.
Shirley was Deputy County Treasurer for St. Lawrence County for 32 years.
Outside of work, she was involved in many activities. She was on the Leadership Team of Cornell’s Ag & Life Sciences Alumni Association. She was also a member of Cornell’s group “Friends of Astronomy” and travelled the continental US, Hawaii and Puerto Rico visiting telescopes with the group.
Shirley was a founding member of Canton ZONTA, serving as finance chairman, treasurer and on the scholarship board. She traveled as a ZONTA local representative to global meetings in New York City, Paris, and Hong Kong. She was a member of AARP and served as scholarship chairman for many years. She volunteered for many years at Canton Free Library delivering books to shut-ins. Shirley also enjoyed bowling on a women’s league with friends and family.
Shirley was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Canton since 1954. Her faith and church family was very dear to her heart. Over the years, she was a deacon, visiting probably hundreds of people over the decades. Served as both president and treasurer over the years in the Post Script Club. She was involved in Capital Fund Drives. Shirley volunteered wherever the church needed her (rummage sales, coffee hours, kitchen, visits, and phone calls). Into her nineties, she was still a prayer warrior for family and friends. She was recognized as Woman of the Year in 1994.
One of Shirley’s greatest gifts was being a mom. Becoming a single mom over night with three children, each in elementary, middle, and high school was rough. Juggling working full time with three kids, she was a role model for her family. She would be at all of their sporting events and activities, even driving to the hockey arena at 5:30 a.m. for hockey practice. As her children became adults, she would take them with her on her travels or to Cornell reunions. Shirley also carried for a father-in-law into his early 90’s.
Lastly, Shirley loved to travel. Between 1978 and 2010, she visited all seven continents. From Antarctica to above the Arctic Circle, she’s traveled on research vessels and small planes. She white-water rafted in Alaska and slept in Africa bush camps. Shirley enjoyed both a train ride through the Rockies and a helicopter ride along the cliffs of Hawaii. She rode an elephant in India and a camel in Egypt. She climbed the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids. The only two countries she missed were Japan and Greece.
Shirley is survived by her children, Bruce (Susan) Norton of RioVerde, AZ, Bonnie (Don Phykitt) Norton of Athens, PA, and Brian (Judy) Norton of Massena; her grandchildren Chad (Melissa Carr) St. Louis, Rachel Norton, Ryan Norton, and Katie (Daniel) Goonewardene; great grandchildren Mayayla, Carlie, and Haileigh St. Louis. Also a sister, Janet Bugher of Newark DE.
She was predeceased by her husband Keith in July of 1975.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Lawrence Funeral Home, 21 Park Street, Canton. Her memorial service will follow with Rev. Michael Catanzaro officiating.
Burial will be held privately in Prospect Cemetery in Barneveld, NY
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church on the Park, 17 Park Place, Canton, NY 13617.
Tributes, photos and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.lawrencefuneralhome.org