Nora Jorgensen

Nora June Jorgensen, a prominent member of Newport Beach Society and a key supporter of the community, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, January 27th. Nora was a 60 year resident of Newport who devoted herself to virtually all of the charitable and cultural causes that enriched the city during her lifetime.

Nora moved to Newport Beach in 1959 from Kansas with her two children, Mary Grace and David Geoffroy. Nora was born in Salina, Kansas, the daughter of Leon Paul and Edith Ethel Schippel. Leon was one of the original settlers of Salina County, and a prosperous farmer and major landowner. A gifted vocalist, Nora attended St. Mary's College where she developed her musical skills which became well known in Newport - she would often conclude her role in any event by launching into a beautiful and patriotic rendition of "God Bless America".

Shortly after moving to Newport, Nora met Alfred Vincent (Vin) Jorgensen, who was then president of Marine Hardware Company and Balboa Marine Hardware Company, and an important leader in the developing Newport Beach Community. After their marriage in 1960, Vin and Nora devoted themselves to Hoag Hospital where Vin was an original board member, and chairman, and Nora played many roles, including naming the Christmas Carol Ball, where she said the blessing every year for 49 years. Just this past Christmas, Nora was honored for her 50 years of patronage of the hospital, including the Hoag Heart Board, Hoag Cancer Center, Donor Recognition Committee, and Dance Alliance.

Building on her musical interests, Nora played important roles in the Opera Pacific Organization, the Pacific Symphony, the Orange County Philharmonic Society, the Big Canyon Philharmonic, and the Orange County Master Chorale. She was a founder of the Performing Arts Center, and served on the boards of the Founders Guild and Founders Plus.

More broadly, Nora devoted many years to the Assistance League, Chariot of Champions, Sherman Gardens, and received the Spirit of Life Award from the City of Hope. She was very active in the Fashionables in support of the Women of Chapman University.

In recognition of her many contributions, Nora was once selected as Woman of the Year by Orange County magazine.

With all of these achievements, nothing was more important to Nora than her family, which includes her children, David Geoffroy and Mary Grace Crosby, their spouses, Jodi Geoffroy and Ralph Crosby, four grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren, all of whom gathered to celebrate her 90th birthday along with 80 of her closest friends at the Newport Beach Country Club last June.

Nora was long a Deacon of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 600 St. Andrews Rd., Newport Beach, CA 92663 where her memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on February 12th, to be followed by a reception in Charles Dierenfield Hall.