Sara E. Norris

Sara Norris, 83, of Holland, Ohio, passed into glory to spend eternity with the God she loved on July 20, 2025. She is finally free from the dementia that challenged her final years.

She was born on September 2, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, to Ruth and Paul Hamlin. Her early years were spent in Rudolph, Ohio, but most of her life was lived in Toledo.

In 1956, at a church youth retreat in Lakeside, Ohio, Sara met the love of her life, Jim Norris. Their friendship, built on mutual respect, deep love, and an abiding faith, became the foundation of a marriage that lasted 61 years. Lakeside became a cherished family tradition and vacation destination that the entire family enjoys.

From a young age, Sara dreamed of becoming a teacher. After graduating from Libbey High School in 1959, she pursued her calling at Bowling Green State University, earning a Bachelor’s of Education. She later completed a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Toledo.

Sara felt called to serve children—especially those facing challenges. She devoted her career to teaching at Westfield School in Toledo’s Old South End, where she poured her heart into the lives of countless students until her retirement in 2005.

Her life was marked by love for God, devotion to her family, and joyful service to others. Whether teaching Sunday School, volunteering at Vacation Bible School, or serving on the church prayer team, Sara was “all in.” In her later years, she found great delight in hosting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren—playing games, making donuts, and building memories filled with laughter and love.

Sara is survived by her beloved husband, Jim Norris; daughter, Wendy Yeager (Matt); sons, Brian Norris (Heather) and Matthew Norris; grandchildren, Elizabeth Yeager, Tabitha Weemes (Ted), Hannah Nelson (Kevin), Lydia Herzog (David), Joshua Yeager (Karina), Nathaniel Norris, and Andrew Norris; and great-grandchildren, Brinley, Jaina, Naomi, Elisha, Raelyn, Ethan, Scarlett, Shane, Ava, Heidi, Clara, and Lucy.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Huffman; stepfather, H. Paul Huffman; and sister, Marilyn Bradbury.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the staff at Oakleaf Village at The Grove and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their tender and compassionate care of Sara.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Cross Missions Fund or to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, July 31, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home – Southwest Chapel, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo, Ohio. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 1, at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Cross, 1750 Eastgate Road, with a time for final viewing beginning at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service at Highland Memory Gardens will follow lunch at the church.