Margaret Norris

Economy

Margaret Norris Economy of Medford, Oregon, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2026, at the age of 73.

She was born on March 2, 1953, to Mary W. Norris and Joseph B. Norris in Greenwood, South Carolina. At a young age, her family moved to Tillman, a small town in the South Carolina Low Country. She attended Ridgeland High School and later Furman University, where she majored in art.

Meg used her creativity throughout her life. After Furman, she moved to Columbia, SC, where she worked as a graphic designer for Wing Publications and then joined the staff as an artist for S. C. Wildlife Magazine. Later, she moved to Raleigh, NC. While living in Raleigh, she became involved with corporate events as an event planner. She had a successful career in the event industry and eventually bought the company she worked for. She used her creativity not only in her work but also in her hobbies, including basketmaking, couture sewing, and playing the dulcimer.

While living in Columbia, she met Dean Economy in 1975, and they were married in 1977. Together they raised two wonderful sons, Michael and Ross. As a mother, she always challenged them to be curious about the world around them by going to museums and exploring nature on walks in the woods. Meg taught her sons to enjoy books at an early age and always spent time reading to them, whether it was bedtime stories or reading during road trips.

Most of the time, she was very easygoing with the kids, but she did have limits that they learned not to cross. On a trip to Boston, the boys were in the back seat fighting over an action figure when things were getting out of hand. All of a sudden, Meg snatched the action figure and threw it out the window. They were stunned, and suddenly it was very quiet in the back seat. If the kids lost something, one of her favorite phrases was, “Well, it doesn’t have feet; it didn’t walk away.” 

Meg was always adventurous. She enjoyed skiing, biking, hiking, backpacking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, and traveling. She was always up for most anything as long as there were a few friends along. After retiring, she and Dean traveled extensively, visiting France, Spain, Portugal, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Belgium, and many other places. One of her favorite trips was to Fairbanks, Alaska, to see the Northern Lights.

In 2017, Meg and Dean moved to Medford, OR, to be closer to their children. At the time, Michael and his wife lived in San Francisco, CA, and Ross and his wife lived in Boise, ID. Moving to Oregon was a perfect fit for Meg and Dean. They were quick to make friends with a group called Slopes and Trails. With their newfound friends, they explored the Oregon coast and mountains, which provided many opportunities for the outdoor activities they so enjoyed together.

Meg is survived by her husband, Dean; her oldest son, Michael, and his wife, Colleen, who live in San Francisco; and her youngest son, Ross, and his wife, Jessica, who now live in Belgium. She is also survived by her beloved grandsons, Adam and Luke. Meg had always wanted a daughter, and she was thrilled to welcome Jessica and Colleen into the family. She adored her grandchildren, and whenever she talked about Adam and Luke, there was always a sparkle in her eyes.

When Michael and Ross were young, Meg used her sewing skills to make whatever Halloween costumes they dreamed up. She continued that tradition with Adam and Luke, creating costumes ranging from dinosaurs and dragons to fish and monkeys, just to name a few. 

Meg was an active member of her church throughout her life. She grew up in the Baptist church, where she enjoyed singing and was an active choir member. After marrying Dean, she joined the Greek Orthodox Church in Columbia, SC, and was instrumental in the young adult group and Greek dance troupe. When she moved to Raleigh, NC, she was a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and spent many hours with her friends preparing food for the annual Raleigh Greek Festival.

After moving to Medford, OR, Meg and Dean joined Trinity Episcopal Church of Ashland. One of her joys at Trinity was serving on the Altar Guild, where she was able to combine her faith and her creativity by arranging the altar flowers. 

Meg brought creativity, curiosity, and a sense of adventure to everything she did. She loved exploring the world, trying new things, and sharing those experiences with the people she loved. Her family and friends will remember her for her generous spirit, her creativity, her adventurous nature, and the joy she brought to their lives.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Ashland, OR, on Monday,

November 16, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall.