Norris, Patricia Lee Reid

Patricia Lee Reid Norris (nee Aepli), 90, died one year ago on December 2, 2015 in Escondido, California. Pat was born August 25th in Yuma, Arizona to David and Donna Aepli.

Pat had a deep love of God. Her life centered on spiritual growth, church, and prayer groups. She mentored others on their spiritual path. She loved educating herself and others. Pat took classes in computing, tax preparation, writing, and Tai Chi to name a few. Her last class was Spanish at age 86 – still learning and inspiring others to learn! Once, she taught a typing class in her dining room for her kids and neighbors. Friends and family were a central part of her life: spiritual partners, Rainbow girls, Tri-Delts, P.E.O.s, and neighbors. She took care of them, entertained them, and kept lifelong friendships alive with group vacations, emails, phone calls, and notecards. She embodied light, life, and laughter. Even at the end, she was still wisecracking. Many felt her impact and cherish her memory.

Pat went to Alma School in Mesa, Arizona. She earned a medal for achievement giving a speech at 8th grade graduation in 1939. She attended Mesa Union High School and was active in dance (favorite class) and student government. She was co-valedictorian and earned honors: Gah Tso, DAR Pilgrim, Huber Essay Medal. Again, she gave a graduation speech. She credited the Int’l Order of the Rainbow for her leadership skills; she became a member of the Grand Cross of Colors in 1943. Pat attended Univ. of Ariz. and was Pres. of Assoc. Women Students, a member of Mortarboard and Women’s Business Honorary, and was named to Who’s Who in Am. Coll. & Univ. She was a founder of the Pi Beta chapter of Tri-Delta sorority. At graduation she was awarded the Freeman Medal for outstanding character. Pat earned her Master’s in Educ. from Univ. of CA, Berkeley. Her thesis was published in the J. App. Psych. in 1950.

After college, Pat taught high school in Kingman, Arizona where she met her first husband, James F. Reid in 1948 (d. 1970). She raised her family, and exchange student, Klaus Zurschmitten (Switzerland), in Albuquerque. In 1969, she returned to teaching business at Valley High School. In 1975, she married Frank F. "Pete" Norris (d. 1992). She continued teaching developing the Bus. Tech. Dept. for UNM, Valencia campus.

Pat is survived by her sister, Marguerite Elizabeth (Betty) Whitelock, children Jim, Donna and David Reid, g. daughters Alyssa and Ivy Reid, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. We miss you, sister, mom, g. mother, aunt, and friend.

Pat’s ashes were interred at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Her desire was that memorials be made to an educational charity. Condolences may be sent to Donna Jane Reid, 29604 Gracilior Drive, Escondido, CA 92026.