Norie Shipley

Longtime Frederick resident Eleanor “Norie” Heston Shipley died on February 18, 2026, at the Record Street Home. She was 90. Born on April 11, 1935, she was the wife of her high school sweetheart the late Richard “Dick” Shipley, and the daughter of Herb and Molly Heston. 

Norie and her family moved to Frederick from Philadelphia in 1949 when her dad was named director of development at Hood College. She attended Frederick High School, where she was a social butterfly, bobby soxer and editor of the school paper. Soon after enrolling there, she met Dick Shipley, captain and all-state tackle for the Cadets football team, and it was love at first sight for both of them. Her devotion to him continued to burn brightly even after he left us too early in 1985. 

After graduating from Frederick High in 1953, Norie studied at Connecticut College and Hood College before marrying Dick in 1955. They made family their top priority, and together they raised four children who survive them, Ginger Hankins (Joe) of Wolfeboro, NH, Susan Witmer (Allan) of Frederick, MD, Donald Shipley (Barbara) of Falls Church, VA, and Melissa Ritterbusch (Chad) of Brookfield, WI. She meticulously chronicled the family’s history with photo albums, newspaper clips and other artifacts that live on to this day. Family vacations at Lake Winnipesaukee in NH and in Cape May, NJ, were perennial favorites for her.

Norie was active in church throughout her life, worshipping and volunteering at Calvary United Methodist Church, and before that with the Frederick Presbyterian Church. Her Christian faith was a constant in her life and sustained her. She found encouragement and wisdom in daily bible study, and she prayed for each person in her family every day, as well as for many other people. Norie left her mark in the community by teaching vacation bible school, serving on the boards of Frederick Memorial Hospital and the Record Street Home, and working at the Church of the Brethren Learning Center and the Tea Room in Linden Tree Designs. She was always at her husband Dick’s side supporting his career with Frederick County Board of Education, his public service as a Frederick City alderman, and his coaching with the Frederick Falcons and local youth football league. She was also closely involved with her children’s schooling and activities during their growing up years.

 In addition to her four children, Norie is survived by grandchildren: Whit Hankins (Jennifer), Laurel Hankins (Austen), Meredith Hankins, Lindy Slater (Desmond), Luke Witmer (Carolyne), Erica Shipley (John), Kyle Shipley, John Ritterbusch (Livy), Grace Ritterbusch, Timothy Ritterbusch, Abigail Ritterbusch, Mary Ritterbusch, Jemimah Ritterbusch and Ezra Ritterbusch, as well as great-grandchildren Aubrey Hankins, Josie Farrell Hankins, Malcolm Slater, Kaia Slater, Layla Witmer, and Blu Witmer.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 on February 27, 2026, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 131 W. Second Street, Frederick, MD 21701. with visitation preceding the service at 10:00. After a private burial immediately following the service, all are welcome to celebrate Norie’s life at a memorial luncheon at Calvary. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Calvary United Methodist Church https://calvaryumc.org/give/ or the Record Street Home, https://www.recordstreethome.org/, both in Frederick.