Born in Tully, Renvyle, County Galway, to Patrick and Honor Heanue (Norah), Noreen grew up by the sea in Ireland, the youngest child in a family of 12. She was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and an adventurous spirit. Noreen chose adventure and caregiving abroad and traveled to America in the late fifties to help her older sister Evelyn raise her young son Michael, creating a special lifelong bond.
Meeting Owen in Delaware, (who was from a family of 14), she fell in love and had six children. She passed on her beautiful smile to her children: Sean, Sharon, Kevin, Denise, Linda, and Ken. There were many moves in store for the Griffin clan.
Their family’s love for each other grew with each adventure and remains strong today, led by examples of incredible selfless love, faith, kindness, and fairness to all. As the years go by, Noreen and Owen’s family continues to grow with Kathleen, Beth and six grandchildren. This beautiful Irish immigrant spent the past 5 decades living in the sunshine and warmth of Florida with the love and company of all but a short drive away.
Noreen was preceded in death by her son Kevin in 1991 and husband of 53 years in 2013. In the years since Owen’s passing, she was determined to stay in her home. With the loving help of all her children and Matthew, the first of six beloved grandchildren, they made it possible for her to age in her home with dignity.
Her quiet confidence and moral standards live on within her children and grandchildren:
Matthew, Meghan, Kevin, Aidan, Annabel, and Jack.
We will all miss her dearly. Find comfort in the fond memories of Noreen and solace knowing she left this world peacefully to join her departed loved ones in heaven, having enjoyed extra special time with each of her children in the last week of life.
“May the wind be always at your back. And, until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
All are invited to an Irish reception after the Mass in the church hall.
Memorial Mass for Noreen will be at 9:30am EST, on October 3, 2024 at Incarnation Catholic Church, 2901 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239 (941) 921-6631. It will also be live streamed from the church for those friends and family from afar and “across the pond” at
https://www.youtube.com/@incarnationcatholicchurchs2764/streams
Service will be at 1:30pm EST at Sarasota National Cemetery 9810 State Road 72. Sarasota, FL 34241
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