Daphne Ruth Van Nort

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Daphne Ruth Van Nort passed away September 25, 2010 in Oklahoma City at the age of 93. Her family was at her side as she was welcomed into the loving hands of God. She was born February 19, 1917 on a farm about 8 miles west of Edmond, Oklahoma, to Homer and Viola Thompson. She attended Edmond Public Schools, graduating in 1935. She went to Central State College (now UCO) in Edmond and graduated in 1939. After graduation she went to work for the YWCA as a program director for teenagers. She worked at the YWCA office in Bartlesville, OK, for 5 years and then transferred to Massillon, OH office. She once stated, "After a cold winter in Ohio I requested a transfer to a warmer climate." They transferred her to Houston, TX. During WW II, while working at the Houston office, she also volunteered at the USO, where they entertained the troops. After 3 years in Houston, she transferred to the Oklahoma City office for another 9 years. The downtown YWCA building was torn down by Urban Renewal; later part of the new Downtown Library was built on this location. Soon after arriving in Oklahoma City, she met Turner Van Nort, who worked downtown at City Hall for the Park Dept. They met at the YWCA coffee shop, where many downtown workers ate lunch. They were married in 1949 in the downtown YWCA chapel and then raised a family in OKC. Turner had a son (Gerald) from a previous marriage, and then they added another son (Stanley) and daughter (Anna). Daphne and Turner were charter members of St. John's UMC when it was started in 1954, and in 1972 they transferred to Ridgecrest UMC in OKC. During retirement the two traveled across the country and Canada with the Hoot Owl RV Club. She stayed busy in several women's groups at both churches. She was active in the AARP, the 1889'ers Society, Travel Club, First Families of the Twin Territory, and Oklahoma County Extension Homemakers. Her hobbies were painting, ceramics, bridge, family history and shopping with Anna. She is survived by her son, Stanley and wife Liz of OKC; stepson, Gerald and Linda Van Nort of Pueblo West, Colorado; and her brother, Howard Thompson of North Richland Hills, TX. She is also survived by grandchildren: Christopher, Brandie, Aaron, Stefanie, and Tanya; also, 2 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Turner; her parents; her brothers, Charles and Donald; and her precious daughter, Anna May Perkins (Van Nort). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to The American Cancer Society at 6525 N. Meridian, Suite 110, Oklahoma City, OK 73116; or to Ridgecrest UMC, address below. Visitation with the family will be 6 pm to 8 pm, Wednesday, September 29th, at Bill Merritt Funeral Home in Bethany. Funeral Services will be at 1:00 pm Thursday, September 30th, at Ridgecrest United Methodist Church at 3629 N.W. 25th, Oklahoma City, OK. Burial at Memorial Park, Oklahoma City, OK. If there's a bridge game in Heaven, Daphne will be looking for another Grand Slam.