Christiane V. Norton of Amherst died peacefully from cancer on April 16 with her family by her side. She was 63.   Christiane was born Jan. 4, 1955 in Québec, Canada, daughter of Monique (Samson) Gourdeau and the late Eric Gourdeau. She will be lovingly remembered for her generosity, wisdom, and the fun-loving and adventurous spirit that took her from Québec to Martha’s Vineyard, where she met her husband, David, then to Colorado and finally to Western Massachusetts where she and David settled with their two daughters.  

She cherished time spent with her good friends and family more than anything. Many memorable evenings were spent in her kitchen and around the table, talking, laughing and enjoying delicacies. She also loved meeting new people and learning their stories. She prided herself on making connections between her new and old friends and her family.  

She had an impressive work ethic and was successful in all the positions she held during her life, first as an esthetician, then as an administrative assistant at a dental office, and at the University of Massachusetts and most recently at an accounting firm. Perhaps the greatest joy in her life, however, came from her role as a devoted mother and grandmother who was so proud of her children and grandchildren.

She will also be remembered for the grace and dignity with which she faced her illness. Determined to enjoy the last couple of months of her life, she delighted in visits from her friends and family, sharing stories, jokes, lots of chocolates and extravagant desserts and inspiring us all.

Christiane is survived by her two daughters, Vanessa Duffy and her husband, Brian Duffy and Amanda Norton and her husband Brian Durie; her grandsons Samuel and Benjamin Duffy; and her partner, Daniel Thibodeau.  She is also survived by her mother, Monique Gourdeau, her sister Elisabeth O’Rourke, her brothers, Frédéric and François Gourdeau, her partner Daniel’s family, and her many cousins, nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters in law with whom she was very close.  

She was predeceased by her husband, David Norton, her sisters Danielle, Sylvie and Mireille Gourdeau, and her father, Eric Gourdeau.

A celebration of her life will take place Sunday, April 29 at 11 a.m. at the Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Road in Holyoke. Family, friends and others whose lives Christiane touched are invited to attend. Respecting her wishes, a private interment will take place at an earlier date.

Contributions can be made in her memory to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA. 01923. Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst will be handling arrangements.