Jeannine M. Norris

Jeannine Marie Norris (Frisch) December 1, 1935 - September 18, 2024.

Jeannine Marie Norris (Frisch), 88, was born in Battle Creek on December 1, 1935 to Frank and Marie (Gilchrist) Frisch (Deceased). She was proceeded in death by her older sister Rosalyn “Dolly” Kelley and leaves behind her cousin, Susan Diamond (Gillem) who was like a little sister to her. Aunt Helen and Uncle Chuck Gillem (Deceased) were like her second parents. She attended Ann J Kellogg Elementary School where she met her future husband, Jim Norris. At the time, she was not impressed! She attended WK Kellogg until 1950, then transferred to St. Philip High School and graduated in 1954. She was best known for her “walk” which got her into a great deal of trouble with the Nuns! Jeannine then worked at Federal Life & Casualty Insurance Company as a secretary. Along the way, she met Jim Norris again while “Cruising the Gut”. This time she was impressed and they were married on April 27, 1957. She left the insurance agency in 1960 when she discovered she would have her first child, Jami Norris (Ann Skye). She had two more daughters, Jeri Norris and Juli Grattan (John) as well as five grandchildren, Colin, Connor, Lauren and Leslie Grattan and Hayley Skye and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

She returned to work in 1975 when she took the position of 3rd Floor Unit Clerk at Leila Hospital. She loved working and made lifelong friends with many people there. When Leila transitioned to Battle Creek Health Systems, she moved to the Insurance department. She loved helping the employees and making sure they were taken care of.

After retiring from the hospital, Jim and Jeannine bought a motor home and traveled each winter across Florida. In Sarasota, they met a group of Kellogg retirees dubbed the “Motor Home” crowd and caravaned annually to places such as Winter Haven, St Pete, Ft Lauderdale, Lake Okeechobee and Texas before hanging up their wheels to become full time grandparents to Leslie. They remained great friends with their traveling cohorts, having a Tuesday breakfast at Panera every week and many other outings. Jeannine also had lunch each month with the BC Central class of ’54 and the Kellogg Clean Up Crew until she was no longer able.

Jim and Jeannine were happily married 57 years until his death in 2014.

Jeannine’s eternal optimism, love of family and friends, quick sense of humor and all-around sweetness made everyone she met fall in love with her. After her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in 2014, she continued to make friends everywhere she went. When she could no longer live alone, Jeannine stayed home and was lovingly cared for by her daughter, Jeri. Although Alzheimer’s eventually took her memories, it did not take her spirit. She continued to live an active and happy life until the end. She succumbed to pneumonia on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 surrounded by her family at home. She fought so hard to beat Alzheimer’s and right up to the end was giving instructions. Her unending strength is an inspiration to her friends and family.

A special thanks to Our Hearts, Your Home (Formally In Home Companions), Comprehensive Medicine and the Kellogg 25 Year Club who made staying in her home possible.

A Funeral Mass to celebrate Jeannine’s life will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 3, 2024 at St. Philip Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. A Rosary Service will begin at 5:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com. 

The family has created a beautiful slideshow of memories and it may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/1015705550.