Norris has long been referred to as “extraordinary,’’ “inspiring,’’ and “selfless’’ by generations of townspeople for her 1970 donation of nearly 100 acres to the Trustees of Reservations. Lately, she has also been praised for her longevity. She became a centenarian on Dec. 5, and a birthday celebration attracted more than 300 friends and acquaintances to First Parish Church in Norwell early this month.
Federal, state, and local politicians sent birthday greetings, citing her accomplishments: “On behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,’’ read a citation signed by Governor Deval Patrick, “we congratulate you on the joyous occasion of your 100th birthday and your outstanding contribution to the preservation of the Commonwealth’s natural habitat for all its citizens to enjoy.’’
“Oh! Somebody was smart and thought to put in all those things,’’ said Norris playfully, peering at the praise.
Norris knows that even with the century milestone, the topic invariably returns to her gift. People marvel about what motivated Norris 41 years ago, eight years after the death of her husband, to forgo a significant fortune in future real estate earnings to preserve all that land. She has lived a modest existence ever since on her remaining five acres.
“She doesn’t think the way a lot of people do. She lives simply. She knows what is important to her and follows the things that are meaningful. She is so at peace with herself,’’ said Elizabeth Gordon, a Norwell neighbor and an organizer of the recent 100th celebration. Gordon herself donated a dozen acres to the reservation, inspired by Norris.
“There is just a lot of positive energy around that property,’’ said Stephen Sloan, Greater Boston regional director for the Trustees of Reservations. He described the land gift, as many do, with a string of superlatives, calling it “remarkably, extraordinarily generous.’’ He noted that people continue to feel a desire to thank the giver of a gift made more than four decades ago.
To Norris, the safekeeping of that land is worth more than material gain.
