Shirley Kay Norton

Surrounded by love and family, Shirley Kay Norton was called home to God on August 12, 2026, at the age of 80, in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. She was born on February 17, 1946, in Woodstock, Illinois, to Robert Laverne Dowey and Gladys Sophia (Heider) Dowey. Shirley spent many years in her hometown of Woodstock, Illinois, before later making her home in Kimberling City, Missouri, and then moving to Pleasant Hill to live with her daughter, Sherri. Shirley was a beautiful and generous soul whose greatest love was her family. She was a devoted homemaker and stay-at-home mother when her children were young, giving her heart and time to raising her daughters and son and creating a loving home. Later in life, she spent many years caring for her own parents. She spent her life being there for the people she loved, always willing to put their needs before her own and gave generously of her time, her energy, and her heart. Shirley had a way of making people feel welcome. She loved to visit and strike up a conversation with just about anyone, and it seemed that everyone loved her in return. She had a warmth and presence that filled a room and drew people to her. She was the heart and soul of her family. Shirley had a deep love for animals and rescued many dogs and cats throughout her life, even a pigeon and a parrot, each becoming a cherished part of her family. She loved wild birds and enjoyed having birdhouses and feeders around her home, where she could watch and feed the birds and other wildlife that visited. She also loved flowers and trees and enjoyed the beauty they brought to her yard. Shirley loved to collect things, filling her home with precious treasures that held special meaning and memories for her. She also enjoyed crafts, especially sewing and stained glass. She was happiest at home, enjoying the people and animals she loved and the things that brought her joy. She loved to dance, and she especially loved Christmas. It was her favorite time of year, and she embraced it with all the joy, warmth, and enthusiasm that were so much a part of who she was. She loved the traditions, the decorations and lights, the music, and the excitement of the season, but most of all, she loved having the people she loved around her. Shirley is survived by her daughters, Kay Lynn Scott (Barry) and Sherri Anne Norton (Vic Heimann); grandchildren Brittany Danyelle Benson, Cassandra Marie Hart, and Justin William Hart; her former husband, Reuben William Norton; and many extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her cherished parents, Robert and Gladys Dowey, her half-brother, Bernard Dowey, and William (Bill) Feezel, her fiance in her younger years. She was also preceded in death by her beloved son, Daniel Lee Norton, whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 22. His loss was one of the deepest heartbreaks of Shirley's life, and she carried his memory and love with her always. Shirley's faith in God was a deeply important part of her life and the foundation of her strength and optimism. A verse especially close to Shirley's heart was Matthew 17:20, which speaks of having faith “as small as a mustard seed” and of the extraordinary things that faith can accomplish. Her favorite expressions, “I'm good,” “We've got this,” and “I'm fine,” reflected the faith and trust she carried with her through every season of life. Even in the face of profound heartbreak and illness, she held firmly to her faith, believing that God was with her and that, somehow, everything would be okay. Shirley loved deeply, gave generously, and brought a warmth and energy to the lives of everyone who knew her. Her faith gave her strength, her love gave her purpose, and her joyful spirit touched countless lives. She never lost faith in God's promise of eternal life and held close the hope that one day she would be reunited with the people she loved. Her family finds comfort in knowing that Shirley is now at peace with God, trusting in the promise of eternal life and holding on to the hope that one day they will all be together again. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM, at McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery, 11301 Lake Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to any animal charity of the donors choice.