A life well-lived can’t be measured by monetary amounts or accolades on the wall, it must be assessed by the legacy it leaves behind.
The Norton family is reflecting on their mother, Sara Jane Norton (nee Stocker), and the monumental imprint she left on those who were privileged to know her.
Jane Norton died April 6. She was 82.
She leaves behind her loving husband, Benjamin G. Norton, of 58 years, and three sons and 10 grandchildren.
Jane was the daughter of C. Paul and Beth K. Stocker. C. Paul Stocker was the founder of Lorain Products, which played a large part in the telecommunications industry worldwide.
Morning Journal reporter Aliah Kimbro talked to Jane Norton’s three sons Benjamin F., Brent and Brad on April 11 outside the family’s historic home in Lorain, with part of the property in Sheffield Lake.
The air was serene as the sons sat on the family’s deck overlooking Lake Erie.
Each sibling shared memories and anecdotes of their mom, and especially as the scenery was one of her favorites.
Her husband, Ben J., only had one thing to say about his wife: “She was the absolute love of my life.”
Jane was a community activist, philanthropist, avid traveler and the glue of her family, the brothers said.
She and her husband traveled across all seven continents and had even more trips planned for the future.
“Life is for living, and she lived it to the fullest,” said Brad as he reflected on the stories told by his parents after their travels.
Oftentimes, Brent, who lives in Seattle, Wash., said he connected with his parents over the phone due to the geographical distance that could minimize in-person connection.
“Every time we talked, it was both mom and dad on speaker phone because neither of them wanted to miss anything,” he said. “They were always a team, right next to each other.”
Jane and her husband’s love story spanned across most of their lives, and was an example for their sons on how to navigate marriage and parenthood.
“They definitely were in love,” said the younger Ben.
“They were best friends,” Brad said. “It’s hard to find pictures of either one of them by themselves, because they were always together.”
Jane was heavily involved in Lorain County Community College and was an LCCC Foundation member; a member of the Lorain Historical Society Board of Trustees; The Norton Family Foundation; served as the first executive director of The Stocker Foundation; was capital campaign and camp counselor for the Girl Scouts of Erie Shores; and many other organizations.
“There wasn’t one thing she wasn’t involved in,” Brent said. “She took interest in everything.”
Among her many accomplishments in Lorain County and involvement in with special interest groups, Brad said what he’ll remember most, is the time she spent with her grandchildren.
“Her grandchildren were her life,” he said. “My parents would take them on mystery trips throughout the summer, and my mom would always take a lot of pictures and make scrapbooks for the kids as a remembrance.”
Like many others dealing with the loss of a loved one, the Norton sons are navigating where this vast legacy may lead them.
“She set out a path, and it’s up to us to continue to follow it,” the younger Ben said.
“She was eternally optimistic about the future,” Brent said. “I hope we can follow in the footsteps that she laid in front of us and represent.”
The Norton family said they will find comfort and healing as they sort through the details and artifacts that tell of one’s lifetime.
Jane’s impact and legacy in Lorain County likely will never be forgotten, including with the Ben and Jane Norton Culinary Arts Center, which was dedicated in 2012 at Lorain County Community College.
“She was passionate about Lorain, and always knew it was going to be a successful city even during challenging times,” the younger Ben said. “She was always confident it would come out on the other side stronger than it was before.”
A celebration of life for Jane will take place at 10 a.m., April 29, at LCCC Stocker Center, 1005 N. Abbe Road in Elyria.
