WESTON, Mass. — Marie L. (LaSpina) Norton of Weston, Mass., formerly of Melrose, Mass., died July 28, 2016, surrounded by her family, after a long illness.

Born Dec. 6, 1930, in Medford, Mass., to the late William and Rosalie LaSpina (Scaletta) of Malden, Mass., Marie graduated from Girls Catholic High School in Malden, Mass., went on to attend Mt. Auburn School of Nursing in Cambridge, Mass. and became a registered nurse.

She was the beloved wife of 61 years of David A. Norton of Weston, Mass.; endearing mother of Mark Norton and his wife, Beth Ann Strollo, of Newton Centre, Mass., Kenneth Norton and his wife, Lauren Noether, of Tilton, N.H., Diane Norton and her husband, Sandy Ellsworth, of Camden, Maine, and the late Michelle Norton.

She was the loving grandmother of Alyssa Norton of Franklin, N.H., and Christopher Norton of Newton Centre, Mass.; dear sister of Margaret Aspesi and her husband, Peter, of Woburn, Mass., and John LaSpina and his wife, Lorraine, of Malden, Mass.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Horace and his wife, Gertrude, of Malden, Mass., Joseph and his wife, Marcia, of Malden, Mass., Rose and her husband, Louis, of Hyde Park, Mass., Natale and his wife, Theresa, of Stoneham, Mass., and William and his surviving wife, Doris, of Wakefield, Mass. She was the fond aunt of over two dozen nephews and nieces.

Marie was a life-long philosopher, scholar, writer, poet and family facilitator. When her children began attending school, Marie resumed her nursing career during summers at Medomak Camp in Washington, Maine, and achieved a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Boston College. She later continued her educational pursuits at Harvard Divinity School, where she was awarded both a Master of Theological Studies degree, and then later a Master of Divinity degree.

As an active participant in Harvard Divinity School's Theological Opportunities Program, she was involved in the integration of feminist theory and religion and spirituality. Her writing included authoring a chapter in the book The Sacred Dimensions of Women's Experience, edited by Elizabeth Dodson Gray. Marie focused her studies on Carl Jung and depth psychology and served as a Progoff Workshop Journal consultant.

She was also interested in eastern religion and philosophy, and investigated chaos theory, mandalas and labyrinths long before they became popular. Sharing these interests and passions with her family and friends, she enriched and inspired their lives and all who knew her. Marie loved astronomy, the ocean and the great outdoors. Special places included Camden, Maine; Squam Lake, N.H.; and the Massachusetts Audubon.

At Marie's specific request, funeral services will be private. A celebration of Marie's life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parmenter Hospice, 10 Green Way, Wayland, MA 01778, or the Massachusetts Audubon Society, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773.