Gift will help restore Loyal Oak Schoolhouse
NORTON — Inspired by a friendship and fond memories of her hometown, Norton native Penny Smith Luff left an unexpected bequest of $50,000 to the Norton Historical Society for its Loyal Oak Schoolhouse restoration. The society’s leadership announced the gift during a July 29 ceremony at the 19th-century schoolhouse located at 3296 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road. Luff died in April 2024.
“Penny Luff’s love of Norton led her to make a transformative gift that will positively affect historic Loyal Oak and Norton’s schoolchildren for decades to come,” said Norton Mayor Mike Zita at the event. “The city is delighted for the historical society and its dedicated members.”
Society Treasurer Jennifer Snyder said Luff’s bequest is the largest single monetary gift the society has ever received, and brings total monetary contributions to the schoolhouse project to $135,000…