Nora J. Byrne

Nora Jane Byrne, née Burns, was born April 7, 1929, in Detroit, MI. She was the 8th and youngest child of Leona and John Burns. In 6th grade, she entered her alma mater, Ursuline College of the Pines in Canada. While at Ursuline, Nora showed her independent streak: skipping school, while wearing pants and smoking cigarettes. Her outing was foiled by a carful of nuns from the school when they sighted her in town. After graduation, the beautiful, raven-haired Nora went on to nursing school, completing her RN coursework at Wayne State University in Michigan. She soon met her clever, handsome husband David, on a blind-date group picnic, set up by her brother, Bob. Nora and David married in 1955, and in in the following 12 years, had eight children together.

Nora maintained her nursing career throughout many years of marriage, working part-time, the 3-11 PM shift, while raising her family. Nora loved her children, eighteen grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren, and when called upon, would help out with them in a pinch. When asked if Nora considered herself a good mother, she would reply that all of her children had a job, and none were in jail. She kept her expectations of life reasonable. She was never one to brag about her children, and would note that when other women would boast and show her pictures of their children, she would think, “Your kids aren’t so great, and mine are better looking.”

Nora was a talented porcelain painter, creating keepsake treasures for her family. She was also a patient seamstress; for numerous Christmases, she sewed tiny doll clothes from Santa. When she was discovered to be Mrs. Claus by an older daughter, she advised her to “Keep it under your hat”, to keep the magic alive for the younger kids. Every one of Nora’s children can recall an image of her at her sewing machine, and of their father loudly stepping on a renegade pin from her pincushion. Nora created happy holiday memories for her kids, and as her children aged, worked hospital shifts on those same holidays, so other nurses could spend the holidays with their children.

Nora became a Girl Scout leader, when no one in the PTA would take on the job, planning and going on camping trips, and helping girls earn badges. She was willing to do things others had no time for, even with her career and large family. Nora wore her feelings on her sleeve, and was one to fly into a quick temper; she was also one to forgive and move on just as fast.

Nora and David were strong partners, each balancing out the other. They were a united pair, and all 8 children knew their parents were loyal to one another, first and foremost. They both believed in the work of marriage, and its worth. Nora and David loved each other deeply for 60 years; so now it is with eternal joy that Nora is once again with her beloved David, of whom she had been without for her last 5 years. Nora’s legacy continues through her family. She will always be remembered as she was, through each of the relationships she had with her children: all different, complicated, and personal. Nora leaves us with a last metaphorical dinner note on the kitchen table, as she would when she left the house for her shift, “Fend for yourselves”.