Tracy Marie (Norton) Higley, age 53, of Zumbrota, MN passed away at home with family surrounding her Sunday, October 27, 2024. Tracy was born to Jerry Wylie Norton, Sr. and Gertrude Viloa (Perrigo) Norton on May 25, 1971 in Kittery, Maine. She grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. She earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at West Liberty State College in 1998, her first Masters in Reading Education from Marshall University in 2004, and her second Masters in Educational Leadership in 2006 all in West Virginia. When she was in college, Tracy wrote that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of children and she never wanted to do any other job in her whole life.
Tracy married Theodore George and had two children, Derrick Christopher on October 1, 1994 and Dana Nicole on October 4, 2000. Tracy taught reading at Glenwood Elementary for six years and first grade at Overbrook Elementary School for two years, both in Charleston, WV. She then became the principal at Mary Ingles Elementary School in Tad, West Virginia for seven years.
Tracy married Troy Patrick Higley, DC on June 21, 2014 at Our Saviour’s Church in Zumbrota, MN. They made their home in Zumbrota and Tracy loved teaching second grade and kindergarten at Gage Elementary School in Rochester, MN where she made many dear friends.
Tracy was fun-loving and always filled with joy. She never complained even through all her health struggles. She loved teaching her kids at Gage, Mary Ingles, Overbrook, and Glenwood. She loved basking in the sun on any beach on the Atlantic, watching sea lions off the rocky shores of the Pacific, riding in her Jeep, shopping for candles & YETIs, watching the Dallas Cowboys, sharing a glass of wine with friends, and lemons! One great source of fulfillment for Tracy was to volunteer with Inheritance of Hope, an organization that helps families thrive even during terminal illness. Tracy’s faith in Jesus was very important to her and she had a chance to show it through helping other families find hope in truly difficult times in their own lives even while she was fighting herself! What a hero!
Tracy is survived by her husband: Troy Higley, DC of Zumbrota, MN; children: Derrick (Victoria Bratka) George of Campbells Creek, WV, Dana George, Sydney Higley, & William Higley all of Zumbrota, MN; Grandchild: Nadia George; Siblings: Jerry Norton, Jr., James (Jim) (Sherry) Norton of Lakeville, MN, Debbie (Judson) Mullis of Waynesboro, Georgia; and many nieces and nephews.
Tracy was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Richard (Rick) (Leesa) Norton.
A visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00pm on November 2 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Zumbrota, MN. Tracy’s Celebration of Life will be at 4:00 with supper to follow. Pastor Eric Westlake officiating.
Our family would really like to thank all our dear friends and loved ones for helping us by providing meals, sitting with Tracy so we could care for her from home, visiting, and encouraging us during this difficult time! You know who you are! We are also grateful for the wonderful staff at St Croix Hospice for helping us so much.
Tracy, we will always carry you in our hearts!
