Emily H. Norris

Emily H. Norris, age 68, of Santa Fe passed away on the full moon, November 22, 2018, less than two months after she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma. She leaves behind two sisters, Vini Norris of Mesa, CO and Dedo Norris of St. Louis, MO; her partner, Patrick McGinn; her cat, NiWhi; and many devoted friends in the Santa Fe area. We will miss so much about Emmy, but especially her humor, sense of style, and remarkable inner light.

Emmy was born in Hartford, CT, the daughter of a musician and a science teacher, Barbara and Howard Norris. She graduated from Chaffee School in Windsor, CT and Pitzer College in Claremont, CA with a degree in anthropology. Emmy arrived in New Mexico in 1973 to attend a workshop at the Lama Foundation and called the state her home for the last forty years.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and nurturing a healthy planet were goals that Emmy kept throughout her life. Her experiences living on Lama Mountain in the 1970s guided her personal practice in the healing arts. Over the years she worked as a massage therapist and caregiver, as a natural foods salesperson, and as a gardener/landscaper. Emmy believed strongly in political involvement and was a committed activist for local environmental issues.

Emmy was intensely independent. She loved listening to music and attending concerts, lectures, and movies. Until the last few months, Emmy’s visual impairments rarely limited her curiosity about the world.

We would like to thank the staff at Lovelace Hospital, Santa Fe Care Center, and Ambercare Hospice for their helpful and dedicated support of Emmy and her family. The family plans to hold a joyous celebration of Emmy’s life on the first weekend of May in Santa Fe.


May the long time sun shine upon you,
All love surround you, Emmy,
And the pure light within you
Guide your way on.