Norah Pauline Barrett (1 Jul 1923 - 18 Jun 2017)

In loving memory of Norah Pauline Barrett who sadly passed away on 18th June 2017.
Norah was born on the 1 July 1923 near Clonakilty, Ireland to Daniel and Margaret Donoghue who had 4 daughters and 7 sons, Norah being the third child. The family later moved to a farm at Roughgrove outside the town of Bandon. Norah attended Tinker's Cross school until the age of 12 when she started work. In 1944 aged 20 she arrived in wartime England to work as a nurse and later in 1947 married Richard Joseph Barrett.

Norah had 5 children John, Maura, Richard, Margaret and Catherine who was always called Pauline. Her husband died in 1980 aged 60 and her son Richard died in 2007 aged 55.

Norah was a full time housewife initially, but later returned to work when the youngest was of a suitable age. She did various jobs, but after going to night school, she worked for 2 Insurance Companies in the Marine insurance department. When she reached retirement age in 1983 she reluctantly retired as she enjoyed her work and got on well with her colleagues, the companies she worked for treated her very well. On retiring she had a busy time being an active member of the Irish Club and making regular trips to Ireland to see relatives and her daughter. While at work she travelled to Canada, USA, Spain, Italy, Germany as well as to Dubai and Saudi to see her daughter and grandchildren. She also made pilgrimages to Lourdes, Fatima and the Holy Land. Norah also went on many holidays in England with friends. Mum also passed her driving test in her 50's.

In 2000 she had a operation to remove a meningioma brain tumour that restored her to health and when it had regrown in 2009 she had another successful operation. However the tumour returned in 2017 but this time it was not possible to remove. Mum's positive attitude to life helped her in recovering from a stroke in 2012 that affected her balance and up to a month before she died she was doing 1200 metres everyday using her walker. Mum had many good friends and neighbours over the years. Mum had great faith in the medical profession and given her outcomes she was right. Mum came from a close knit family.