Noreen Mary Raleigh

Noreen Raleigh Noreen Mary Raleigh, 89, died peacefully Monday, January 3rd, 2005 after a long illness. She was born May 13, 1915 in Brooklyn, New York, and lived on the east coast until 1966, when she moved to Houston, Texas with her husband, Dr. James Raleigh, and their six children. Noreen was a devoted and loving wife and mother and was proud of an early career as a buyer for Abraham and Strauss department store in New York City and a later career as a real estate agent with Madeline O'Brien Realty in Houston. She was also an energetic church and community volunteer. She devoted many years to the promotion of interfaith dialogue and understanding, and in 1969 chaired the Houston Interfaith Workshop entitled The Power of the Religious Woman. She was a longtime member of a Catholic women's organization, the Theresians of America, whose ministry in Houston included visiting and supporting people with mental illness. In 1989, she and Dr. Raleigh were honored by the Shalom Center as Irish Houstonians of the Year. Noreen was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, James Walsh Raleigh MD in 1993 and her son James Raleigh, Jr., in 1995. She is survived by her daughters, Noreen Hearn Sommer (Hurst), Mary Skillman (Hanlon), and Susan Kaderka (Daniel); her sons, Robert Raleigh (Sheila), and Denis Raleigh (Janice); her grandchildren Erin, Sean, Dylan and Austin Raleigh, Ryan Skillman, Molly Kaderka, and James Hearn (Kellee); and a great-granddaughter, Alexandra Hearn. Nieces, nephews, and dear friends also survive her. Noreen will be remembered by all who knew her for her warmth, humor, intellectual curiosity, generosity, determination, and faith. Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 5th from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish funeral home at 3125 N. Lamar in Austin, TX, with a Vigil service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 6th at 11 a.m. in St. Austin Catholic Church, 2010 Guadalupe St., Austin, TX, with luncheon reception following. A graveside service and burial will be held on Friday, January 7th at 1 p.m. at the Woodlawn Cemetery, 1101 Antoine Drive in Houston, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimers Association, Greater Austin Chapter, 3420 Executive Center Drive, Austin, TX 78731 or to Catholic Charities of Central Texas, 1625 Rutherford Lane, Austin, TX 78754. Memorials and guestbook online at wcfish.com