Obituary of Rose C. Norton

Rose C. Norton, of Monroe, N.J., devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully on Jan. 26. She was 90.

Like the flower she was named for, she was strong, yet delicate, and the memories of her beautiful smile, big brown eyes and friendly way are a comfort those who loved her.

 “Mom,’’ “Grandma’’ and “GG’’ to her immediate family, she was “Little Ro’’ and “Aunt Ro’’ to a large extended family. She taught by quiet example and her five children were raised with a living model of grace, dignity and generosity.

Rose was born in Yonkers, N.Y., on June 26, 1932, to Susan and Nicholas Vetrano. She later moved to Bloomfield, N.J., where she graduated from Bloomfield High School. On June 16, 1956, she married Thomas J. Norton, a blessed union that lasted nearly 67 years.

Rose saw her main role in life as the caretaker of her family. She and Tom raised their children in Kearny, N.J., Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and Verona, N.J.

She also worked as a sales associate at JCPenney for 20 years in Wayne, N.J.

For the past 23 years she and her husband have been residents of Rossmoor Village in Monroe, N.J. They loved to travel, and Rose enjoyed playing golf in the ladies’ league and spending summer afternoons at the pool. She also enjoyed painting and often painted landscapes and still lives.

In May of 2022, Rose and Tom were the guests of honor at a joyous celebration of their joint 90^th birthdays. There was dancing, laughing and singing. Surrounded by loved ones, Rose was smiling and looking like the classy lady she always was.

Like anyone else, her life was not without struggle. As a young child, she lost her mother. She was a cancer survivor. Her only and beloved son, Thomas P. Norton, died at the age of 34. She was also predeceased by six siblings: August, Carmella, Neil, Michael, Vincent and Leon.