Anne Norris Kirby

Anne Johns Norris Kirby passed away on April 20, 2025 in Easton. She was born on January 19, 1928, the youngest child of William Henry Norris, Sr. and Georgie Slingluff Norris. She attended the Friends School in Baltimore and earned her college degree at Smith College in Northampton, MA. Anne married William Naylor Kirby on June 16, 1951. They lived in Trappe and moved to Easton in 1963. Both intellectually curious, Anne and Bill were early innovators with experimenting with placing oyster spat on egg cartons in Tred Avon and growing grapes and planting vineyards on the Eastern Shore. They loved to sail on their boat, The Breezy, and paddling in their canoe. They loved to travel and explored the Pacific Northwest, France, Germany, and Austria. After 69 years together, Bill passed away on January 7, 2020. Growing up as a member of the Friends Meeting, Anne became an Episcopalian when she and Bill married. She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Trappe and later, Christ Church in Easton where she served on the Altar Guild at both. She was a member of the Harbor Club. Anne’s teaching career at the County School was that of which she was most proud. She taught seventh grade with an emphasis on math and science. She took pride in her work and really enjoyed her students; and often said she learned more from them than what she taught them. Anne and Bill were devoted to each other and to their families. As an educator, Anne understood the importance of education to one’s life and ensured their three daughters gained the education they needed. She often said, “My daughters are a librarian, a banker, and a nurse. I don’t need anything else.” She was their biggest cheerleader. Anne’s college friends called her “Horace Norris;” her local friends knew her as “Anne Norris;” her husband affectionately called her “Fanny;” her grand and great-grand children called her “Ohma.” But to her daughters, she was “Mom.” Regardless of what name she answered to, she was uniquely herself: a strong, smart, kind, and loving woman who was progressive in her thoughts and decisions. Anne is survived by her three daughters, Margery Kirby Cyr (Mark), Anne Hughlett Kirby, Amanda Kirby Mielke (Robert); grandchildren Erik Loberg (Sasha), Blake William Loberg, Allison Spencer Mielke (Daniel O’Brien), Katelin Mielke Frase (Eric), and Gretchen Kemp Mielke; and ten great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Christ Church in Easton. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Talbot Historical Society, 30 N. Washington St., Easton, MD 21601 or https://talbothistory.org/product/donate/

Anne Norris Kirby

January 19, 1928 - April 20, 2025