The late Nora Houston: ‘A woman of great vision with a great interest in community’

Widespread regret was occasioned in west Donegal on the recent passing of Mrs Nora Houston, Lackenagh, Burtonport, which took place in Letterkenny University Hospital.

Nora had been unwell for some weeks previous to her passing and spent some weeks in Letterkenny Hospital, where she received excellent care.

A native of Gortnasade, Kincasslagh, she was a member of the well-known O’Donnell family. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Anthony in 2008 and also by her brothers Tony and her sisters Bridie and Maureen. In her youth, she worked in Edinburgh, and while there, she met her beloved Anthony, and they married in Scotland.

Their daughter Mary Ellen was born in Scotland. In 1970, they returned to live in Burtonport and their two sons, Anthony and Denis, were born here. Nora took up employment as a post lady for the Burtonport area and indeed was one of the first to hold such a position in the country.

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She immensely enjoyed her work and had a great relationship with all households. Nora took early retirement in 2002 to take care of her husband, Anthony. She was a woman of great vision and had a great interest in community activities.

She was the founder member of some very important projects in this area, firstly the Good Morning Service that she ran with a number of other volunteers, making contact with elderly people on a weekly basis.

The Good Morning Service had a call centre in St. Columba’s Community Centre for a number of years, with the organisation's head office in Buncrana. This was a huge benefit, getting these calls in particular during the Covid period.
Her second project was the hugely popular market/bargain rail in the Community Centre for some eight years until its closure in February 2024.

Nora set it up originally to help with the running costs of St. Columba’s Community Centre and expanded to help other local community projects, and the returns from recycling to Acres Church and our local schools.

There was always a great variety of items on offer, donated by the public and sold at very reasonable prices and it was a great meeting place, especially for ladies. Along with her helpers from the centre, Nora ran it very professionally and there was always a warm welcome for all callers to the bargain rail.

She also came up with the idea of running a community garden at the back of the centre and had the honour of officially opening the garden in the Centre’s 30 years celebration in 2023.

Nora was also a long-time member of the Burtonport Community Alert Committee. Above all, Nora was an outstanding wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend and was very popular with all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Her passing leaves a huge void in this area, where she will always be fondly remembered. Her funeral, which was large and representative, took place to Belcruit Cemetery, following mass in St. Columba’s Church, Acres, celebrated by Rev. Fr Pat Ward, PP and Rev Fr Matt McInerny. Fr Pat officiated at the graveside.

At the beginning of the mass with Nora’s grandson Owen Houston acting as MC, symbols of Nora’s life were brought up to the altar, firstly by granddaughter Emma, who brought up a family picture, granddaughter Faela took up her post office badge, her niece Joanne brought up a plant and niece Katie took up a vase as a symbol of her community work. Readers at the mass were her nephew, Cathal Kelly, and her grandson Conor Houston.

The prayers of the faithful were read by her grandchildren, Emma, Faela, Daithi, Seán and her niece Deirdre Doherty. The offertory gifts were taken up by her sister Annette and Kathleen. Singing at the mass was by her grandchildren Alice, Hannah and Michael Houston, accompanied by Joe Rodgers on guitar.

At the end of the mass, a reflection was read by Anne Bradley. Nora is survived by her daughter Mrs. Mary Ellen Hyland, sons Anthony in Maghery, Denis in Lackenagh, sisters, Mrs. Annette Doherty, Gweedore and Mrs. Kathleen Denby, Scotland, son in law John Hyland, daughters in law, Yvonne and Niamh Houston, other in-laws, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

While Nora’s remains were entering and leaving the church, a guard of honour was formed by members of St. Columba’s Community Centre. May you have eternal rest Nora, in Belcruit Cemetery by the sea. RIP. Her month’s mind mass takes place in St. Columba’s Church, Acres on Saturday 17th May at 6:30pm.