Obituary of Virginia Lee Norris

Virginia “Lee” Norris, a woman devoted to family, faith, and the community passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2016. She was 80 years old. Lee was born in Boston, the daughter of the late Carlton and Elizabeth Cummings. She grew up in South Boston and Wellesley. She was a graduate of the Academy of the Assumption High School in Wellesley. She then went onto to earn her Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Elizabeth’s College in New Jersey. She went to work until the birth of her first child and then chose to remain home and care for her family. If raising five children was not enough, Lee opened her home to care for foster children with as many as four staying with her at a time. Not only did she open her home, but also her heart to children in need. Some of her best qualities was her ability to listen to others, tenderness, genuine concern and being the comforting and caring voice of reason and understanding. Her positive influence has helped numerous children during tumultuous times of their lives. After her children were older, Lee went to work in the computer industry. She worked at MACOM doing document control and then at Digital Computers as a programmer and data analysist. As Digital faded and the doors began to close, Lee opened a new door in mental health. When most would ended their working career, Lee went back to school in her 60’s earning a Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. It wasn’t for the money, but because of life’s work of helping others. She specialized in expressive counseling and had private clients and shared her knowledge in St. Malachy’s Grief Support Group. One of her therapies was helping others express themselves through creating stain glass windows and ornaments. Children were drawn to her and helped with youth programs and stained glass workshops for kids. Until her health declined, Lee was a longtime and active parishioner and Eucharistic Minister at St. Malachy’s Church. Lee was devoted to her family. She shared the past 43 years married to her husband, Alan. They shared their passions and brighten each other’s world. They traveled all over the world, seeing all its wonders, experiencing different cultures, and appreciating all its beauty. In recent years, they found cruises as a fun and easy way to travel. They shared the love of the ocean and spent their summers on shores of Beverly, Massachusetts. She was the loving mother of 5 children. Even with her education in grief counseling and strong faith, it was still difficult for her to have seen the passing of two of her children, Lynda and David. She considered herself blessed with the addition to her family of 15 grandchildren and their spouses and then 13 great grandchildren. And then there were all the extended family, friends, and children she welcomed with open arms. Lee has left a heart print on all those she loved and touched over her 80 years. Lee was the beloved wife of 43 years to Alan M. Loving mother of Brian Leahy of FL, Debra Haught & her husband Skip of IL, Kelly Pivoney & her husband Gary of Missouri, and the late Lynda Leahy and David Leahy. Mother-in-law of Amy Leahy of Dracut. Sister of Betty Allen & her late husband William of Ayer, James Cummings & his wife Carol of TX and Paul Cummings & his wife Nancy of Wellesley. Also survived by 15 Grandchildren & 13 Great Grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 3 p.m. Visiting hours will be held prior to the service from 1-3 p.m. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorials in Lee’s name may be made to St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington, MA 01803.