Obituary: Armella Rita Norton

May 8,1929 – March 15, 2024

Armella Rita Norton, age 94, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2024 at Serenity Spring Senior Living at Scandia Village, Sister Bay. She was born in Chicago on May 8,1929 to Casimer and Harriet (Michela) Pinczykowski. Her family name was later changed to Pine. Armella was baptized at and attended St. Mary’s of the Angels Church, Chicago. She graduated from Drummond High School in Chicago. After graduation, she began her professional career in 1947 as a helper to an assistant in the trust records division at the Continental National Bank Chicago.

Armella furthered her banking career by attending evening vocational school. She was a trailblazer and a woman ahead of her time. She was proud of her career and told many stories of the discrimination she faced from her male colleagues as she worked her way up the ranks at the bank. She became the first female principal supervisor of trust records at Continental. She ended her professional career at Continental Bank as a personal banking officer, retiring in 1981. Armella made numerous lifelong friendships during her banking career, staying in contact with some until her final days.

While working at Continental Bank, she met George H. Norton Jr. She married George in 1974. He predeceased her April 30, 2002.

As a girl, Armella aspired to become a nun.  After thoughtful conversation with her priest, he suggested that she could do more to help other people without becoming a nun.  As she lived her life, this proved to be very true. She touched many lives and those fortunate enough to have known her were truly blessed. 

Armella was an avid downhill skier and a member of the “400 Ski Club” for more than two decades. She skied the Swiss Alps, North American Rockies (both US and Canada) and the Sierra Nevada, to name just a few.  Armella was adventurous and traveled extensively during her life. As a young woman, she traveled often to Door County and helped organize many biking tours and spelunking adventures in the caves around Horseshoe Bay. She loved to share stories and photographs of her trips and visits to almost every continent. 

Armella’s profound love of music was a significant part of her life. George and Armella provided critical support when the Peninsula Music Festival fell into dire straits in the late 1970’s. Armella served on the PMF’s Sustaining Committee and personally provided them with substantial support and resources. In 1993 George and Armella, along with the Ephraim Foundation, were instrumental in bringing back the Sunday Night Sing-a-Longs at the Ephraim Village Hall. Even after George’s passing, Armella helped continue the Sing-a-Long tradition into the 2010’s. Literally right up to her final days, with no rhyme or reason, Armella would serenade the senior living staff with the lyrics from one of her sing-a-long favorites. Armella was also a generous philanthropist dedicated to supporting students, arts and history in Door County. She created the Armella Rita Norton Scholarship Fund and supported numerous organizations and charities.

She loved Door County and eventually retired full time to her home in Sister Bay, a friend naming it “Armella’s Heaven” which was literally her “Heaven” on earth. There she enjoyed gardening, canning and a occasional cold beer with friends on the front porch. Armella used to tell everyone, “I’ve had a great life, life is what you make it.”  At Armella’s request, no formal services will be held.   

Special thanks to Terry, Kathy and the staff of Serenity Springs Senior Living at Scandia Village for their care, compassion and kindness to Armella.

There’s a “Miracle called friendship” that dwells within the heart. And you don’t know how it happens or when it gets its start… But the happiness it brings you always gives a special lift… And you realize that “Friendship” is God’s most precious gift!