Donna Beck Norton

In loving memory of our mother, Donna Beck Norton, who passed away at home on August 26, 2025 surrounded by her family. Donna was the devoted wife of  David Earl Norton and loving mother of David M. Norton (Brenda K. Norton), Larry B. Norton (JoAnn (Jody) A. Norton), Debra A. Thorn (Kirk B. Thorn), Rick C. Norton (Esther Norton), and Rand C. Norton (Cathy A. Norton). Donna will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her only remaining sibling Bonnie Foote. They relished their time to make even more fun memories together.

Donna was a kind, caring and giving person who always put the needs of family before her own. She was a strong woman who faced every challenge in her long life with courage and dignity. Our mother, with her eternal beauty, was a source of inspiration to us all. Her wit, her calm, her knowledge and wisdom resonated through four generations of family whose lives she touched.

Growing up, Donna was always there for us, whether we needed help with our homework or just a shoulder to cry on. She was a woman of strong faith and she instilled in us the importance of family, hard work and doing what is right. Our mother was a true role model who we will always look up to. Her undying love and grace will continue to influence our lives and hopefully fill the void we all feel now.

Donna grew up on a farm in the San Luis Valley of central Colorado. She lived thru most of the depression on this farm. She helped keep their family’s country store supplied, handled a team of horses to plow the fields until old enough to drive the family tractor at 14. 

When Donna was 17 she traveled with a friend, her friend’s 95 year old grandfather and an Uncle to a Civil War Veterans’ reunion from Colorado to Gettysburg, PA entirely on country roads. During the Civil war reunion she witnessed, along with about 100 veterans from the civil war, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicating a new memorial, The Eternal Flame Memorial, which still exists today. 

Donna married Earl, the love of her life, on November 10, 1943, less than one month before he joined the army during World War II. It was a quick wedding but an enduring marriage of 59 years until Earl passed in 2003.  As part of the war effort Donna began working for Geneva Steel as a driver in their motor pool. As the war progressed Donna moved to San Francisco with a sister to help launch a new accounting method. This experience led to her running the accounts department at Utah Valley Hospital.

When asked how she and her siblings were able to face life’s many challenges with such grace she said growing up on a farm without the modern conveniences, they learned an approach to life that was without any expectation. Donna took life as it came and moved through modernization like a champ, embracing machinery, technology and social media advances without hesitation. Later in life while a tub with a door was being installed in her home she was asked about the tin tub she grew up with.  Her quick witted response was a book she imagined she might write titled “From a Tin Tub to a Tub with a Door, My Life Between Tubs” 

Donna and Earl ran a wholesale fruit and vegetable business in Idaho Falls and Salt Lake City until their retirement. They moved to Salt Lake City where family, travel and frolicking with close friends, holding hands and keeping a beautiful home filled with celebration and memories continued to make them fulfilled and happy together.

Donna was very active outside of her family and business. She had many callings within her church.  She was a member of the same book clubs for decades. She enjoyed golf and reading.  She read a book a day for most of her life until forced to listen to audio books. Donna was a skilled bridge player into her 90s as well as an avid skier into her 60s. After moving to Salt Lake City she volunteered as a docent at the Governor’s mansion for 3 governors.

For the last 17 years Donna established a new home in her own apartment at an independent living center where she made and lost countless close friends. We want to express our deepest thanks to Delmy, Juana, Maria, Jose, Maggie, Liz and Maddy for their love, support and friendship. And a very special thank you to all those residents who also brought warmth, special friendships, joy and laughter into her daily life…you know who you are.

Donna has joined her mother and father, Orin and Clara Beck; her siblings, Levee Lamb, Ray Scalone, Carol Boynton and Ron Beck; her oldest son David M. Norton; daughter-in-law JoAnn (Jody) Norton; grandsons Derek Norton and Simon Norton.

Donna, We will continue your efforts to live by the words your beloved Grandma Beck instilled in you. I Pledge allegiance to my name and the family to which I belong. I promise to strengthen and support all family members that each may feel loved, competent and worthwhile. I will do my best to help each member reach his or her potential. I will strive to bring honor to our family name in all I say or do and to enjoy the successes of other family members. I pledge to view each member of the family as an individual and to respect personal rights, privileges and properties. May we “…live together in love.”

The funeral service will be on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11:00 am at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to park on the north side of the building.

In lieu of flowers, Mother would love you to contribute to your favorite charity. Or suggestions might be: Alzheimer’s Foundation, Plant a Tree, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Humanitarian Fund or Perpetual Education Fund.

For those of you who are unable to attend, please check back for live-streaming the day of the service.