Daisy Emeline Norton

Zoom broadcast of the funeral : https://zoom.us/j/ Meeting ID: 96832423104

Our talented, artistic, spunky, always showing love for everyone, health nut, and faithful mother, Daisy Emeline Bigelow Norton passed away on Monday, March 20, 2023, in Gilbert, Arizona at the age of 97.

Daisy was born in Jerome, Arizona on July 16, 1925, to Parley LeRoy Bigelow and Esther Grace Ray. She was the fifth of twelve children and grew up in the Verde Valley, Cottonwood, Mesa, and Eagar areas.

At the age of 16 Daisy met and fell in love with Silas Elbert Norton and they were married on March 24, 1942, in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They lived in Fort Huachuca while he worked for the Army until he was drafted to fight overseas in WWII. During this time Daisy had two sons, Silas Parley Norton and Rush Bigelow Norton. At the age of 19 Daisy was left a widow when Silas was killed in France on January 15, 1945. Through much trial and heartache, she learned to endure and enjoy life, happy with the simple things.

On September 12, 1952, Daisy married Lawrence Norton who was Silas’s uncle. He was a widower with three daughters, Theresa, Mary and Yvonne. Combining their family of five was an adventure for sure and they added to the fun by adopting three more children; Steven, Jamie and Joye. They lived in Eagar until 1976 when they moved to Mesa, Az.

Daisy loved to draw and was an exceptional artist in many media: including oil, water, pastel painting, china painting, sculpting, and doll making. Her family and friends have been honored to own her various works as she was very giving with her talents.

Daisy was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous callings throughout her life. In her later years she enjoyed indexing, doing temple work, and family history.

In Eagar, she taught Kindergarten and 8 th Grade Art. After she moved to Mesa Daisy worked for Loveall Plumbing as a secretary and as a caregiver for elderly people. It was during this time at age 54, she “got busy” and took her GED test and received her certificate of graduation. Later on, she worked for her nephew Lynn Bigelow painting animals that she sculpted, and he cast.

After Lawrence passed, Daisy continued with her art until she was past 95 years old. She loved to read, do word search puzzles, read, crochet “cuddle blankets” for her friends and family, and did we mention she liked to read! Many times, she would read far into the night. But most importantly she loved her family and her friends. Spending time with them was her delight as well as theirs.

Daisy is preceded in death by her parents, husbands Silas Norton and Lawrence Norton, her brothers Edwin, Gilbert, Lynn, Simeon, Vernon, Wade and Larry her sisters Violet, Iris, and Calla Lilly. Also, her son Silas Parley Norton, daughters Theresa Goin and Yvonne Bigelow.

She is survived by her children Rush (Nancy) Norton, Mary Jepson, Steven Norton, Joye Norton (Larry Velasquez) all of Mesa, James (Sheri) Norton of San Tan Valley and one brother, Delmar (Sabina) Bigelow of Sandy, Utah. Her posterity includes 8 children, 36 grandchildren, 129 Great grandchildren, 99 great-great grandchildren and 1 great-great-great grandchild.

Daisy’s funeral will be held on March 31, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 3920 E. Brown Road in Mesa. Interment will be held at the Eagar, Arizona Cemetery Saturday April 1, 2023 at 11 a.m.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com . Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com , please check our website for accurate details and service information.