Doris Elizabeth(Sheppard)(Dodds) Norris

Died peacefully July 9, 2016, in Toronto, aged 92. Predeceased by husband William Bradford (Brad) Norris, sister Jessie Ryley and brother Harvey Sheppard. Elizabeth will be fondly remembered by her family, including children Jack Dodds (Carol), Carolyn Dodds (Ric Giorgi) and Pamela Dodds; stepchildren Todd Norris (Minda), Betsie Norris and Robert Norris (Paula Phipps); sisters Marilyn Cole (Cyril) and Winifred Northey (Don); niece Norah Ryley and many other nieces and nephews; grand- and step-grandchildren Portia, Nicholas, Daniel (Nicole), Juliana, Elliot and Ella; the extended Norris, Sheppard and Dodds families, and many friends. Born in 1924 in Lark Harbour, Newfoundland, Doris Elizabeth spent her early years in Lark Harbour and Corner Brook, studied science at Memorial U, graduated from Montreal’s Royal Victoria Hospital School of Nursing, and studied psychiatric nursing at the Allen Memorial Institute. She ran a first-aid hospital in a Newfoundland logging camp, then nursed at the Royal Vic until she married Donald Dodds. They lived in Corner Brook and Halifax before moving to Toronto in 1958, becoming active members of the Unitarian Congregation of South Peel (now Mississauga). From a young age Doris Elizabeth challenged orthodox beliefs and was a social and political activist, serving on a provincial committee on gifted children in Halifax. In Toronto she opposed religious indoctrination in public schools, becoming in 1960 first president of the Ethical Education Assn, and was a founder, first executive director and VP of the Canadian Civil Liberties Assn. She chaired the Unitarian Council of Metro Toronto, was Canadian representative on the continental Board of the Unitarian Universalist Assn, hosted Vietnam-era American war resisters and spoke widely on social issues. She began her career in media as a freelance producer for CBC Radio and host of a radio talk show in Brampton, ON. After studying TV production at Ryerson, she produced instructional TV at York U. In 1970 she married Brad Norris and moved to Cleveland, OH, where she produced/directed health sciences TV at Case Western Reserve U and earned an MSc in Organizational Development. Hired as Director, TV Education, at the Greater Cleveland Hospital Assn, she rose to VP, Education. In 1979 she became a management consultant. She and Brad enjoyed golf and canoeing, and travelled often to the Dominican Republic. They moved to Torch Lake, MI, in 1992, where they were active in the Unitarian Universalist congregation and environmental groups. After Brad’s death she returned to Toronto, living at The Grenadier and Lakeside Long Term Care. Cremation has occurred. A memorial service and reception will be held Saturday, September 17, at 11:00 AM at the First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto, 175 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Alzheimer Society of Toronto or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.