Abbeyfeale native Nora had wonderful faith in St Padre Pio

THE peaceful death has taken place of Nora (Nono) Corkery (née O’Keeffe), 23 Blackrock, Tralee and formally of Main Street, Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, on September 26. She faced her cancer with dignity, courage and peace.

Nora grew up in Main Street, Abbeyfeale. Her parents, Tom and Mary O’Keefe, were publicans. She was educated at Abbeyfeale primary and convent secondary school, Abbeyfeale.

Upon completing her education, she trained and worked with Malachy Skelly Bookmakers. She managed their office in Castleisland for many years.

In the mid-1960s, Nora went to London and worked as an office clerk. While in London, she met Tim Corkery of Killorglin at a dance in the Galtymore, Cricklewood, and they subsequently married in 1967.

In 1970 they moved to Australia where she first worked in a nursing home and later immersed herself in looking after the office and organising the clerical management of her husband’s building firm.

Tim and Nora, with their son Mark, returned to Ireland in 1979 and re-opened the former O’Keefe’s Bar in Main Street Abbeyfeale, renaming it “The Old Inn”. Nora’s interest in horses continued when they built Westfield House Stud Farm in Kilconly, Abbeyfeale.

Following 17 happy years living in Abbeyfeale, Tim and Nora semi-retired to Tralee where their son Mark and daughter-in-law Anne had located, to set up a Property Management and Accountancy Business. Upon the arrival of her beloved grandchildren, David and Philip, her name changed from Nora to “Nana”.

Nora had great faith and devotion to St Padre Pio. Due to her illness, Nora was unable to attend Mass, which she previously did regularly. She retained her link to her Parish by watching Mass from St Brendan’s Church online.

Nora is sadly missed by her husband Tim, son Mark, daughter-in-law Anne, grandchildren David and Philip, brother Jack, sisters Joan, Vourneen, Emir, and Pat.

She was pre-deceased by her siblings, Tom Bawn and Frances. She is also mourned by her nieces and nephews and many close friends in Kerry, Limerick, London and Australia.

The Corkery family would like to thank Fr Padraig Walsh, Fr Patsy Lynch, and Fr Niall Geaney, of Saint Brendan’s for their kindness and spiritual assistance during Nora’s serious illness.

A special word of gratitude is offered to Dr Patricia Sheehan and all her staff at the Palliative Care Unit, University Hospital Kerry; her local GP Dr Patrick English, community nurse Anne Mason and her associates; and the staff of Leahy’s Pharmacy, Oakpark. The helpful and caring attitude shown by all to Nora in her hours of need will never be forgotten

Beannacht Dó lena anam dilis, is cinnte ni bheidh a leithéid ann arís. Nora, slán go fóill.

The Late Nora Corkery