Remembering dear friend and generous benefactor John Norton III

(April 2016)  -- The entire St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center community mourns the loss of one of its most historic and beloved donors, John R. Norton III.

John and his wife, Doris, have been deeply devoted to St. Joseph’s Hospital for many years—as reflected through the numerous contributions they have made to support the hospital’s healing mission. Their heartfelt generosity has enhanced the education of medical students, supported breakthroughs in scientific research, and led to greater levels of comfort and care for countless patients.

John’s deep history with St. Joseph’s Hospital began the day he was born. He was birthed at the hospital on April 10, 1929, and passed away there, April 17, 2016. He and Doris ensured all three of their children—John P., Michael and Melanie—were also St. Joseph’s babies.

In addition to funding the development of the John and Doris Norton Healing Garden at St. Joseph’s, as well as multiple scholarships and enhanced facilities for Creighton University School of Medicine on the hospital’s campus, the Nortons made the largest gift in St. Joseph’s history—$19 million—to establish the John and Doris Norton Cardiothoracic & Transplantation Institute in 2014.

The staff and friends of St. Joseph’s Foundation extend the deepest of condolences to Mr. Norton’s family and friends.

“Not only was John Norton an extraordinarily all-around good man, but he captured and expanded upon the creation of the Norton Thoracic Institute here at St. Joseph’s. The transformational gift he and Doris made two years ago has led to exponential growth of the institute, propelling it to achieve distinction as the second busiest lung-transplant program in the nation.  John will be sorely missed by all here at the Norton Thoracic Institute," said Ross Bremner, MD, PhD, executive director of the John and Doris Norton Cardiothoracic  andTransplantation Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.

“John and Doris Norton have truly been intimate family members here at St. Joseph’s for all the years that I’ve been with the organization. What John has supported here at St. Joseph’s will live on in perpetuity, impacting countless members of our community of patients at the hospital … and far beyond, " added Patty White, president and CEO at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

“John was not generous simply for the sake of generosity, but he combined his passion and spirit, intertwining them with an astute understanding of people," said Brian Mortenson, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Foundation.  "Just as his business investments were in people and organizations that he knew could get the job done, so also was the case with his philanthropic investments, which is why St. Joseph’s is particularly honored to have been placed with such a trust and friendship.”

Gifts in memory of John Norton can be made to St. Joseph's Foundation in support of the John and Doris Norton Cardiothoracic and Transplantation Institute.