Josephine Norris

Josephine Jo Barbara Norris passed away peacefully on November 5, 2014, at the age of 96 years old. Born in Argo, Illinois on March 13, 1918; daughter of Anthony and Mary Migas. She had 6 siblings: Stephanie Josephine Migas, Stephanie Sophie Migas, Bruno Migas, Benjamin Migas, Wanda Migas, and Ann Migas. Jo was a Catholic, a devoted wife, mother, aunt, sister and grandmother and great-grandmother. She was affectionately known as Cookie Grandma. She was an incredible golfer and loved to play the piano. She worked as an Executive Assistant at Reynolds Aluminum and later at Gull Lake View Golf Course, where she golfed every day after work. She loved to cook to the great appreciation of her grandchildren who would devour her chocolate chip cookies. She was an outdoorswoman in her earlier years - a great shot with a rifle! She passed many of her talents on to her daughters and grandchildren, such as: how to golf, how to make the best pie crust known to man, how to make potato pancakes, how to play Scrabble, and, most importantly, how to love. Jo and Frank retired from Kalamazoo, Michigan to San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico, where they met friends who told them of a small town in Arizona. It was then that Jo and Frank moved to Safford, Arizona. In Safford, Jo put her knitting skills and baking skills to the test often achieving a blue ribbon at the fair for her talents. She enjoyed being a member of the Ladies Auxiliary at the VFW and a member of the Rebekahs, where she would laugh and laughIn addition to her many loves, Jo loved Bingo where she would often coyly smile before she yelled BINGO! Jo was proud of her beautiful rose garden at her Safford home tending to it daily. She also had a love for West Highland Terriers throughout her life. Jos family emigrated from Poland to the United States. Jo was very proud of her Polish Heritage and would often spout in Polish when she was upset. Jo had a special relationship with her daughter, Connie she spoke with her almost daily. She was a strong woman with a soft heart. She will be dearly missed. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Frank E. Norris, as well as her beloved daughter Brenda Norris. Jo is survived by her daughter Constance Pfeffer and her three grandchildren: Jason Pfeffer, Danielle Stockinger, and Jon Pfeffer; as well as her loving great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The Rosary will be led at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2014 with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 311 S Central Ave, Safford, AZ, with interment in the Gila Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A reception will follow at the St. Rose Hall.