NanSea Lee Norton's Obituary
NanSea was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 5, 1943 to parents Mary Bernice Vandenabeele and Michael Vandenabeele. She is survived by her husband John Vincent Norton, and daughters, Dawn Renae Norton of North Fort Myers, Florida and Stephanie Marie Ciner and her fiancé Richard Dawson both of St. Clair, Michigan. Also mourning her passing are her grandchildren, McKenna Roselee Ciner an elementary school teacher, John William Ciner a graduate in physical anatomy and mitigation manager, and Caleb Stephan Ciner an economics and finance major student at Saginaw Valley State University, her sister in-law Gladys Ann Bosel, and brother in-law Michael Emmett Norton, all residing in Michigan, as well as cousins and many nieces, nephews, and friends, students, and acquaintances all across the country from her long history in the field of artistic expression. She is also survived by her loving kitty cat, Shawnie, who sits in NanSea’s chair waiting to be brushed.
NanSea passed on at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers Florida on August 3, 2023 after an extended illness. She is predeceased by her parents and her sister Pauline Lana Humphries, and brother in-law Elwood Humphries formerly of Marlton, New Jersey, her sister in-law Mary Alice Greenberg and brother in-law Daniel Lyle Greenberg formerly of Allenton, Michigan, her brother in-law Dewar Albert Bosel formerly of Macomb, Michigan, her Aunt Bessie (Auntie B.) and Uncle Homer Morrison, formerly of Garden Grove, California, and her mother in-law Gladys Ann Norton and father in-law Michael Emmett Norton both formerly of St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
NanSea lived her early years in Detroit, St. Clair Shores, and Harrison Township, Michigan, where she graduated from L’anse Creuse High School in 1961. In 1966 she and John were united in marriage and lived 56 years together while building many homes in Michigan, Georgia and Florida. All of the homes they built together were either designed by Nancy or influenced by her skill as a draftsman in some way. NanSea also attended Macomb County Community College and enjoyed classes in the humanities and artistic design. She found her niche in artistic expression and became an art instructor as a result and taught in the medium of oil, watercolor, acrylic, pencil, china painting, drawing, old master’s portraiture, and drafting. She taught in those methods for 50 years making many friends and followers along the way. Her home is adorned today by her works not the least of which is an old master’s style painting of her grandchildren and their pets. NanSea loved dogs and cats and always had the company of one or the other throughout her adult life.
NanSea, as young child, wore a hat to cover her hair and went to work with her carpenter father pretending to be a boy, sorting and carrying supplies like nails and door hardware and such other small items. Once, she was so convinced she was going to be in the trades and wanting to “fit in”, she found some money (about $.25) and went to a barber shop and got her hair cut like a boy. That didn’t last long though. She had long beautiful flowing hair most of her life afterwards.
John recalls their first meeting at age 12 years. NanSea lived in a mobile home park and there were three lanes in the park. She was walking down the middle lane wearing a pair of shorts and a white long sleeve men’s shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the front of the shirt tail tied at the midriff. John said he thought WOW!! And he knew, “Yep, that’s the one.” They married 10 years later.
NanSea was a humble person who gave of herself and someone who will long be remembered and missed by many. She was praised by many as the “best teacher they ever had”. And she took that compliment with humility and always tried to live up to it.
Her final arrangements are being attended to by Fort Myers Memorial Gardens where she will be interred in the “Field of Honor”.
No services are scheduled at her request as she, although an outgoing person, was still private in her personal life.
If you feel inclined to make a donation, in NanSea’s memory, please contact the Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary in St. James City, Florida, please contact them at 10060 Mallory Pkwy., St. James City, FL. 33956, or 239-283-9100.
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