Janet L. Norris

October 15, 2009

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Janet Norris, 55, of Frankfort, IN, passed away at 4:01 pm Thursday afternoon, October 15th.  Janet graduated from Frankfort High School in 1972, swam for Indiana State University and received her B.S. degree in 1976; she received her Master’s degree from Ball State University in 1982. Janet spent 32 years teaching the youth of Clinton County. She has served as a swim instructor at Clinton Central High School and Elementary since 1977 and recently taught Sports Medicine. Janet was the Boy’s and Girl’s Varsity Swim Coach. Janet developed the Flexercise Aquatic classes, conducted the summer swim programs and taught Ladies Exercise Classes. Since 1996, Janet has been a certified AMTA Massage Therapist. Janet’s passion included her missionary work in Calcutta, India with Mother Teresa’s Missionary of Charities. She was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was honored as the Frankfort Times Citizen of the Year in 2008. Janet loved traveling, photography, hiking, tending her rock garden and reading.  Janet belonged to Delta Kappa Gamma professional education sorority.

Visitation and Services

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Frankfort, Indiana. Visitation will be Monday, October 19th from 4-8 p.m. with a Rosary at 4 p.m. at Goodwin Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, Janet requests memorials be made to Missionary of Charities or Little Sisters of the Poor (Indianapolis), envelopes will be available.

Survived by:

Janet is survived by her loving family, parents, John and Rose (Donnelly) Norris of Frankfort, brothers, John F. Norris of Frankfort and Perry (Teri) Norris of Loveland, OH, and her special nieces and nephew, Stella, Jack and Maggie.

Condolences

13 Condolences for “Janet L. Norris”

  1. Melinda (Jobe) Pryor October 17, 2009 at 11:08 am

    Ms. Norris was a wonderful teacher, coach and friend. She taught me the right way to swim (with my head in the water) and how to dive off the diving broad. I will never forget the first time. She laughed so hard because I did a belly smaker. She said Jobee what did you forget to do. I know, tuck my chin. She taught my daughters how to swim as well. My youngest was 6 months old when I took her to her class. She held on to Jenny like she was her own. I will play some Neil Diamond in her memory because he was one of her favorites. She will be deeply missed.

  2. Janice Jacoby October 17, 2009 at 11:11 am

    Dear Mr. & Mrs. Norris, John P., Perry, and anyone whom may have had a special relationship with Janet as an adult (special friends),
    I can’t begin to tell you the sadness I feel from Janet’s passing. My fondest memories of Janet were associated with our sports participation at FSHS- GAA and ISU. Janet was a giving person; in fact she was responsible for giving me the few clubs I needed to play golf.
    In light; the term “sink or swim”, I sank and she swam. She was a beautiful swimmer. To Janet, “Thanks for the memories”. Always, Janice Jacoby

  3. Carol Rodibaugh October 17, 2009 at 7:30 pm

    One of the measures of a life well lived is the manner in which one life has touched others.
    I can say without a doubt that Janet has been one of those who has positively impacted the lives of her students, friends, colleagues and clients.
    She was so grounded in common sense, decency, compassion and faith., and she had a wonderful sense of humor and self-effacing manner.
    Plus, she could whistle like nobody else!
    Such a loss to those of us left behind…but how fortunate we are to have known her!
    Our family will always keep Janet close in heart.
    P.S. Her students always called her “Norris” I could never do that…

  4. Stacy McKinney October 17, 2009 at 9:16 pm

    To the family of Coach Norris~
    Though she was never my coach, she was always around for us basketball players as well! She was a wonderful, funny and giving person. She was also a great influence on so many young lives. I am sorry for your loss. Coach Norris will be greatly missed. Sincerely, Stacy

  5. Nancy Menning October 17, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    It has been an honor and blessing to have known Janet. She touched my life, and many of us who took care of her, in a very special way. She was quite an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing her with us.
    Love and prayers,
    Nancy Menning, RN

  6. Rebecca Long October 18, 2009 at 11:03 am

    To the Norris family,
    Janet touched the lives of so many people, and I am lucky to count myself and my daughters in that group. Not only do I have fond memories of playing Jr. Golf with Janet in Junior High, but I was blessed to teach with her at Clinton Central. I enrolled my 2 daughters in Janet’s summer swim lessons when they were 2 and 3 years old. I remember when parents came the last day to see the progress of their kids and Janet proceeded to toss my little Kelly into the pool as I watched in panic! Up she popped laughing and swam to the side! From that day on, I trusted Janet completely with my daughters who swam for her until they graduated. Both of them learned perseverence and pride in giving their “personal best.” Thanks to Janet, many kids felt pride in accomplishments even if they didn’t win the heat. There is a special place in Heaven for Janet.
    Sincerely,
    Becky (Wray) Long

  7. Jeff Edwards October 19, 2009 at 11:13 am

    Mr. and Mrs Norris, John, and Perry,
    Janet touched so many people is such positive and supportive ways. Her passing is a loss to family, friends, colleagues, and students. Please accept my condolences from the College of Nursing and Health and Human Services at Indiana State University; we are proud that she is one of our alumna. In addition, please accept my personal condolences as well, she was very special to me.
    Sincerely,
    Jeffrey E. Edwards, Ph.D.
    Professor
    Associate Dean
    College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services

  8. Joke Koelemeijer Van Geest October 19, 2009 at 11:19 am

    To the Norris family,
    I have known Janet since we were in high school Senior Class, she was a dear friend and when we got married she came all the way to Europe to be present at our wedding day. She took nice pictures and enjoyed the Dutch experience.
    We lost contact over the years but hearing about her passing away leaves us very sad indeed. We want to wish you all the strength you need to bear this terrible loss of your lovely daughter, sister and aunt. We will remember her as a very sociable friendly laughing person, very fond of sports and in particular swimming. May she rest in peace and may her spirit live on in the world of swimming.
    Kind regards,
    Joke and Aad Koelemeijer, Netherlands.

  9. Troy Knoderer October 19, 2009 at 11:55 am

    Norris Family,
    It is with great sadness that I learned of Janet’s passing. She truly was a special person who touched the lives of many. I feel fortunate to have spent many of my “growing up” years with Janet as she taught and modeled so many life lessons. Swimming was simply the vehicle for doing that. I think, of all of the things I learned from Janet, her commitment to serving those with special needs is the one that has had the most impact. She used the water as “the great equalizer” – what was so challenging and seemingly impossible on land suddenly became accessible and easy in the water. Please know that it was Janet’s passion, love and patience that has allowed so many to have success over the years. There is definitely a special place in Heaven for Janet.
    Troy Knoderer

  10. Jami Montgomery October 19, 2009 at 12:29 pm

    To the Family of Coach Norris,
    Coach Norris has touched my life in so many ways, and I know that she has also touched others the same. I can’t believe that she is gone, but I know she will be truly missed, and that she is in a very good place now.
    She was my swim coach since I was in 4th grade, and she pushed me everyday to become the swimmer that I am today! Without her I don’t know if I would have ever enjoyed swimming like I do now.
    I will never forget all the fun times that we had! Thank you for having such a great person as your daughter. I will never forget how much she touched my life.
    Sincerely,
    Jami Montgomery

  11. Jeri Jo (Buck) Kingery October 19, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    To the Norris family,
    Janet and I went to Riley School through FSHS together. I have memories of visiting Janet on Clinton Street and Forest Drive as a kid. After graduation from high school, we went different directions. Janet went to Indiana State, and I went to Purdue. We reconnected again. I took my twins to Clinton Central to learn to swim. I knew Janet would be wonderful with them, and she was. Our paths have crossed multiple times over the years.
    Janet has touched many lives.
    She will be missed,
    Jeri Kingery

  12. Ruth Ann (Marchino) McColley October 21, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    To the Norris Family,
    My sincere and deepest condolences to you. At Clinton Central, Janet and I spent many, many lunch hours monitoring the lunchroom and sharing many wonderful stories during that time as well. She was such a dedicated and devoted teacher, coach, and friend. I had the privilege of standing as her Confirmation sponsor at St. Mary’s. Janet’s spirit and love of life will continue with us all forever with all the wonderful memories she has blessed upon us. I truly cherish having had her as a friend. Heaven is blessed as well.
    Sincerely,
    Ruth Ann (Marchino) McColley

  13. Beth Meece October 27, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    As everyone here has said, Janet Norris touched so many lives with her kindness. She was my swimming instructor all through school. I can remember one day, during a swim class, she asked me why I was not on the swimming team. She pushed me and pushed me every time I was in the water, because she always knew I could do better than I was showing. For that, I will always be grateful. Thank you Janet for being the person that you were. You will be truley missed.

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