Joann Barnett Norton July 26, 1955 - March 3, 2025

The mermaid has returned to the sea.

Joann (Barnett) Norton, 69, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025, while in the good care of Luther Crest, Allentown, after complications from a stroke in August 2021. Joann was the wife of Greg Norton for the past 47 years. She was born in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Camden, NJ, on July 26, 1955. Joann was a daughter of the late Joseph and Rosemary (Mecca) Barnett.

Joann spent her early life growing up in Medford Lakes, NJ. She spoke fondly of growing up in that lake community. Her family moved to Haddon Township, NJ in 1965, enrolling in the Haddon Township School District. She made many friends in Haddon Township, Joann remains a close friend to many to this day. Graduating in 1973, she enrolled at the then Glassboro State College, now Rowan, with an elementary education major, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1977. Joann eventually became a very successful 2nd grade teacher at Bonsall Elementary School in the Camden New Jersey School District. The birth of son Gregory in December 1985 changed her career path to full-time mother and homemaker, roles which she embraced and enjoyed. Joann moved to the Allentown, PA, area in 1987, due to husband Greg’s work promotion. She immersed herself into this new life, making more lifelong friends in the Cross Timbers development, while remaining close to her New Jersey family.

Joann loved the beach, and beach life. She believed she was a mermaid in a prior life, who’s to argue?! Many summers were spent in Ocean City, New Jersey, she lived and worked there through her teen years, mostly as a waitress. In the summer of 1976, she was living with pals Cheryl and Cathy in an “apartment” on 6th Street in Ocean City. “Apartment” in name only, it was a queen bed, hot plate and fridge, with a common bathroom out in the hall. In June of 1976, two of Cheryl’s friends from Juniata College, who were also working in Ocean City that summer, walked in the front door, Lou Gibbons, and the lucky man who turned out to be the love of her life, Greg Norton. The summer of 1976 was the time of their lives, they were inseparable. Joann and Greg married in the fall of 1977, moving to Huntingdon, PA while Greg finished his studies at Juniata. Joann taught 2nd grade in a 4-room schoolhouse in Mt. Union PA.

Upon Greg’s graduation in 1979, the family (Jessica born April 1978) moved back to New Jersey. After the move to Allentown, Joann and Greg realized a life-long dream and purchased a house in their beloved Ocean City, in 2004. Joann spent summers there, and many good times were had by all, during that time. To say Joann decorated the house in a mermaid motif would be an understatement. She was a very skilled and creative interior decorator. Joann will be missed by the 51st Street beach crew.

Joann will be dearly missed by her husband, Greg Norton, daughter Jessica Norton, son Gregory Norton, granddaughters Jocelyn Slack and Kyleigh Orenstein and grandson Isaac Norton. Joann is survived by her brother Joseph Barnett and his wife Sheryl and sister Rosemary Barnett, who will miss their sister. Joann is also survived by nieces Nina Rizzo and her husband Michael Williams and Victoria Rizzo and her husband Jacques Poirot and their families, and nephews Chris and Danny Barnett, who were all loved by Joann.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11:30 am at Stephens Funeral Home, Inc., 274 N. Krocks Road, Allentown PA 18106. A visitation will be held from 10:30 – 11:30 am on Saturday, March 29, 2025, in the funeral home. www.stephensfuneral.com.

Contributions in Joann’s name may be made to the Charity of One’s Choice.

Goodbye Luv.