Leslies Last Cruise With Her Mother My friend of the day is another outstanding conservative, Leslie McCarthy Miller. I previously wrote about her father who helped launch Reagan, and assisted numerous GOP candidates. Her admirable brother Kenton frequently makes interesting observations on my wall, and the family is fascinating. Leslie is connected to one of Americas largest philanthropic families. Their wealth dates back to the founding of Texaco and her ancestors are well known in St. Charles, Illinois, and an island off the coast of Naples, Florida. I always want to learn more, and today she writes: A long time ago, my mother married John Baker Norris of St. Charles, Illinois, who was the love of her life. They had one son, the late John Jr. who is my older half brother. The Norris family was and is extremely wealthy (you can Google Delora Norris). Pretty much everything in St. Charles, from parks to hospitals is under the name Delnor. A medical wing at Northwestern University is named after my moms 1st husband. He died in a horrific car accident back in the 1950s leaving my mom a widow with a son. Back in the mid-40s, the Norris bought an island off the coast of Naples, Florida. (Editorial Note: According to the Naples Daily News, The island was a winter retreat for the low key rich and famous from 1935 to 1995. Now it is an enclave of luxury mega homes, still accessible only by boat.) To get an idea of what the island Keewaydin Club looked like, think Dirty Dancing. We used to go there over Christmas and spring break as children. Kenton and I have incredible memories from many weeks over the years spent on this secluded, family oriented island. They even had a rescued gorilla in a large cage there. So, after years of hanging on to mom in her urn, my long time friends are taking me on a sunset cruise to the island where I will spread her ashes. PHOTO: The Delora Norris statue with her yorkie by the Fox River in St. Charles, Illinois.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 01:02:25 +0000
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