Petersburg Pilot -

Dorothy Joan Norosz, 86, passed away on April 16, 2013. She was born on April 23, 1926 to Irma and Norman Hafner in South Bend, Ind. She was the eldest daughter of six children. Though times were lean she spoke often of happy times with her family and the antics of her siblings and the neighborhood gang. Her oldest brother claims she knew how to dance when she was born. Jo loved to dance, enjoyed the outdoors, and was always ready for fun.

As a teenager, she helped the war effort by working in a boot factory after school. Jo graduated from Central Junior-Senior High in 1944.

In her early twenties, she left South Bend with a friend, and boarded a train bound for California. Her father bet her ten dollars she wouldn’t stay. Despite being very homesick, she found a job at an insurance office and settled into an apartment on Hollywood Boulevard. Jo was always strong willed and was not going to lose a bet with her father. She returned to her home in Indiana only after learning her youngest sibling had been seriously injured.

After returning to Indiana, Jo worked at a bank, went dancing at every opportunity, and eventually started seeing a neighbor’s son who had served in World War II. Jo married John Norosz on July 14, 1951 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in South Bend.

In 1964, after the closure of the Studebaker Automobile Company, they packed up their two kids and worldly goods and made for Southern California in search of opportunities. When the family was settled, Jo went to work for ITT Cannon Electric. She took pride in her work and was recognized for her excellent service to customers. In 1988 she retired from her supervisory position.

Jo moved to Petersburg in 2002 to be near her daughter Kris. She easily settled into life in this friendly small town for she loved being with people and having friends of all ages. She was always ready with quick wit and a bright smile. Jo thoroughly enjoyed community social events, dipping her toes in the bracing waters of Man Made Hole, and fishing for king salmon and crab with her friend Gordon Jensen. She loved cheering on the Notre Dame Football team and became an avid Mariner baseball fan. Jo was remarkably lucky at games of chance and always ready to wager with friends on football games.

Jo was preceded in death by her husband John and her brother Bob Hafner.

She is survived by her daughter Kris Norosz and son David Norosz; sisters Eleanor and Norma Lu Hafner; brothers Roy and David Hafner; numerous nieces and nephews, and her many dear friends in Petersburg.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 27 at the Holy Cross House from 1:30 - 3:30 pm. Sharing of remembrances will begin at approximately 2 pm.

Memorial donations may be made to the Petersburg Public Library and W.A.V.E.