Jennie F. Norman

Jennie Norman Jennie Ferris Norman, known affectionately by all as Tita, passed away peacefully at Woodbrook on February 22, 2021, having lived a long life filled with the joys of family and friends. She leaves behind her devoted children, Rick and Susie Norman, Ron Norman and Fiona O'Connor; and her beloved grandson, Joe Norman, his wife Jessica, and their children, Sadie Norman, Max Norman, and Presley Mcinnis. Several relatives also survive her, including her niece, JoAnn Ferris Kittrick and her nephews, Bill Elias, Mickey Leo, and Charlie Leo, all of whom remained close to their Aunt Jen throughout the years. Jennie was born on January 5, 1929, in Wilkes Barre, PA. She was the youngest of five children born to Elias and Catherine Ferris, who immigrated from Syria. As a young girl, Jennie worked at her parents' restaurant-Barney Street Lunch-which is still family owned. In 1948, mutual friends introduced Jennie to Abraham Norman from Geneva, New York. Abe's parents were also originally from Syria-coincidentally a village very close to where Jennie's family had lived. After their wedding, Jennie and Abe moved to Elmira where they raised Rick and Ron and shared 63 years of marriage before Abe's death in 2012. Throughout the years, their home on Sliter Street was a gathering place for family and friends of all generations. At the first sign of guests, Jennie would put the coffee on and hurry to bring out platters of Syrian bread, olives, and shankleesh, no matter the time of day! Many happy hours were spent around the Norman kitchen table. Jennie's was a familiar face to those who shopped at Mr. Panosian's. She started out in the Uniform Department on South Main Streetand then relocated with the store to Langdon Plaza. She loved helping her customers find just what they were looking for. Even years after her retirement, former customers greeted her with delight when they ran into her. Jennie enjoyed shopping, outings with friends, visits with family, Yankee games, and trips to the casino, Myrtle Beach, and Florida. When she could no longer get out and about, she moved to Woodbrook where she thrived-once again able to socialize to her heart's content. Although we will miss Jennie, we look back on her life with gratitude-grateful for the extraordinary care she received at Woodbrook from the dedicated, compassionate staff; for the support of Care First and Visiting Angels; for the blessing of her steadfast and lifelong friends, including the Pendleton family, members of the El Sylebam Club, and Jeanette and Joe Capece; and most of all, for Jennie herself-her ability to laugh easily, love well, be happy in the moment, and embrace all whom she met with a generous spirit-qualities that live on in her sons, grandson, and great-grandchildren. Due to the pandemic, the funeral service will be private, but we thank you for your kind thoughts at this time. Contributions may be made to the Woodbrook Foundation for those wishing to remember Jennie. (1250 Maple Avenue, Elmira, NY 14904 or lsweeney@woodbrookhome.com)