Kathy (McClellan) Norris, 64, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born August 28, 1962, in Mansfield, Ohio, to David and Wilma McClellan, Kathy lived a life full of love, laughter, family, and plenty of stories worth telling.
For 33 years, Kathy shared her life with her husband and best friend, Mike Norris. Together, they built a family that meant everything to her. She spent much of her life as a homemaker, caring for their six children, and later helped watch and care for her grandchildren. If you needed her, she was only a phone call away. She might tell you exactly what you needed to hear instead of what you wanted to hear, but she would also show up at any hour to help. She never had a problem speaking her mind, and the people who loved her wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Nothing brought Kathy more joy than being “Maw Maw,” “KaKa,” and “DeeDee” to her 20 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. To many of them, she was as much a close friend as a grandma. She loved spending time with them, cheering them on at their games and events, celebrating their accomplishments, and letting them know how proud she was of each of them.
Kathy hosted every holiday and loved having her children and grandchildren gathered together. She had a way of making sure everyone was taken care of. Her old-fashioned cookie cutters and cuckoo clocks are just a few of the little things that will always bring back memories of being together at her house.
She loved being outside. For more than 20 years, Kathy and Mike, along with many of their children, had permanent campsites at Walhonding Hills Campground. She loved fishing, going on side-by-side rides in West Virginia with family and friends, working in her flowerbeds, and tending to the landscaping. Despite being deathly afraid of birds, she still made sure they and the other critters around her were fed.
Some of the best memories were made sitting around a campfire with family and friends, sharing drinks, laughter, and stories. Kathy could make any story a little more dramatic, and anyone who spent a night around the fire with her will remember her famous “Fifty-Eleven.” She enjoyed a vodka cranberry or Sailor Jerry, loved old rock and roll, especially Bob Seger and later Kid Rock, and was known to enjoy an occasional dance. She was also a big Ohio State Buckeyes and Cincinnati Bengals fan.
Above all, Kathy loved her people. She made time for them, showed up for them, and gave them countless reasons to laugh. The love she shared and the memories she made will stay with her family and friends always.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Mike Norris; their six children, Michele (Eric) Baker, Stephanie (Mitch) Maneese, Bobbi Norris (Bryan Bundesen), Shannon Dewitt, Michael Norris (Alyssa), and Samantha Norris (Logan Brown); 20 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two brothers, a sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Wilma McClellan, and her sister, Lori (McClellan) Hagar.
In keeping with Kathy’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service.
Kathy’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many nurses, doctors, and caregivers who cared for her, especially the staff at The Good Shepherd and Amedisys Hospice. Your kindness, compassion, and care during such a difficult time have meant more to our family than words can express.
Harter Family Funeral Home is honored to serve the Norris family.
Words of condolence may be expressed at www.harterfamilyfuneralhome.com
Funeral Home: Harter Family Funeral Home
Website: www.harterfamilyfuneralhome.com