Lynn H. Norris

Lynn H Norris age 89, died on July 25, 2022 at Pomperaug Woods in Southbury CT. Ms. Norris was born in New York City, daughter of the late William I. Hamby and Barbara Chapin Hamby. She was predeceased by her sister, Barbara Hamby McLane Beatt. Although brought up in Great Neck, Long Island, Ms. Norris’s life brought her to live in many places. Married to Robert M Messner, also of Great Neck, she lived for years in Caracas, Venezuela, and Heidelberg, Germany, and traveled extensively. Divorced, she moved to New Fairfield, CT where with courses from Southern Methodist University and a degree from University of Bridgeport, she enjoyed being the Head of the Art Department of Bethel High School, for 10 years. She received a Master’s Degree in ED from Western CT. College.

After marrying Edward O Norris of Westport, CT she took prerequisite classes at Mercy College and Duchess Community and earned a Master’s Degree from New York University with a concentration in Alcohol Studies and began a new career. Lynn Norris co-created the first co-ed outpatient treatment center for Chemical Dependency in the State of CT, where she rose to Acting Director of Guenster Rehabilitation center in Bridgeport, CT. She then designed and directed the Clinic for Chemical Dependency (CHOICES) at Four Winds Hospital in Katonah, NY. Eventually Ms. Norris opened a private practice on alcohol dependency. Her use of innovative practice modalities was highly successful, and her council changed the trajectory of hundreds of her clients' lives.

 Upon the death of her husband, Ms. Norris transferred her private practice to her waterside home at St. Mary’s by the Sea in Black Rock, CT. She then also resumed her intense interest in painting. Ms. Norris had initially majored in art at Skidmore College and had exhibited her work in sundry group shows and small galleries. She had had a one woman show at the John Slade Ely House in New Haven in the late 1960s. Ms. Norris eventually left her home at St. Mary’s to become a resident at Pomperaug Woods in Southbury, CT. Ms. Norris spent her time in these later years energetically painting full time.

Ms. Norris is survived by her children, Ann Messner, of NYC, William Messner, and Marian Messner, of Littleton, Co, and Patricia Hood of Newtown, Ct. She had five beloved grandchildren, Nicole Messner and Joshua Messner, of Denver, Co, Ben Messner Monnig of Dusseldorf, Germany, and Wesley Hood and Kira Hood of Newton, CT. She had 9 great-grandchildren.

 In addition to these children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ms. Norris is survived by two stepchildren and 7 more beloved grandchildren from her twenty-three years with Ed Norris.

In lieu of flowers Lynn asked the friends send donations to the ACLU. (WWW.ACLU.ORG)           

To leave an online condolence please visit, www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lynn H. Norris, please visit our floral store.