It is with deep regret that Westport United announces the passing of Nora Heraty, Sandyhill and former Secretary of Westport United FC. She was a dearly loved wife of Tommie and loving mother of Tomasina, Peter and John.
Nora has been described by many as an ambassador of Westport through her many years service as an employee of Westport House and was actively promoting Westport as a quality holiday destination for tourists, particularly in her sphere of promoting the caravan and camping park at Westport House.
Nora was involved in many local organisations in the town, including St. Patrick's Drama Group, St. Mary's Church Choir and she was an active committee member of Westport United Youths and Westport United FC.
Nora's involvment with Westport United Youths co-incided when her eldest son, John was playing for the club and she was a member who brought her renowned organisational skills to the table which made her a valuable and trusted committee member. When Westport United and Westport United Youths amalgamated following an Extraordinary General Meeting back in December 1992, Nora was appointed as Club Secretary, the first lady ever to hold that position and under the chair of Michael Rabbett, Nora proved to be a very efficient secretary who performed her task dilligently. Nora's younger son, Peter joined the club's underage teams and John was making his senior debut in the Connaught Senior League in the years after but Nora stepped down from the committee due to other committments but in the years since and even when her sons were no longer involved in the club, she retained an affinity towards Westport United, regulary making enquiries about the well being of the club and how matters were on the pitch. Since her days in the club when numbers were much smaller and less teams to cater for, it has really blossomed in numbers and she would undoubtedly would have been an invaluable member of the current committee with her networking talents, her efficiency skills and her ability to market a product to prospective members in the days of social media. Not only Nora was effective and dilligent in her role, she was also a visionary and a real asset amongst the forward thinkers that has been involved in community organisations in the town.
She will be sadly missed by her sorrowing husband, daughter, sons, her mother Honor Munnelly, (Tubber Hill, Westport), son in law Austin, daughter in law Nicola, grandchildren Noah, Eden, Joyce and Petie, her sister Maureen Walsh, brothers in law, sister in law, niece, nephew, cousins, relatives, many friends and her work colleagues in Westport House.
Westport United FC would like to extend its sympathy to the family of the late Nora Heraty. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Reposing at Navin’s Funeral Home, Mill Street, Westport on Friday evening from 5 o’clock until 7 o’clock.
Funeral will arrive at St. Mary’s Church, Westport on Saturday afternoon at 1.30 for Funeral Mass at 2.30 followed by burial in Aughagower Cemetery.
Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to Mayo Pink Ribbon c/o Kilcoyne Funeral Directors.
