Mary Nora Ashby

Nora was born on July 15, 1947 to Wilfrid and Kathleen O'Donnell (née Nugent) of Braeside, Ontario, Canada. She grew up within a large Irish-Canadian family in the rural Scottish community of McNab. Upon completion of high school, she decided to study nursing. She graduated from St. Joseph School of Nursing in Kingston in 1970. Shortly after her graduation, Nora was diagnosed with lupus, but she rallied and went on to marry Paul Stephen Ashby in September of 1971. The young couple moved to Toronto and soon welcomed their daughter, Erin, in 1973.

Opportunities arose for employment in Texas and the young adventurers moved with Erin, first to Cuero, Texas and then to New Orleans where they enjoyed many years. Nora liked the culture, the sense of community, and the merriment of Mardi Gras. Opportunity beckoned again, and the Ashbys moved to Houston, Shell's headquarters. Altogether, Nora had a 42 year career. The majority of it was spent as an occupational health nurse first with CNG now known as Dominion, then UPS, and finally Shell. After retirement in 2013, she volunteered at the VA Medical Center until she moved to Florida to live closer to Erin. There she found a lovely community in The Palms at Weston as well as friendship and inspiration in her Bible study group, Empty Nesters, of First Baptist Church at Weston.

Always stylish and conscious of health and fitness, she also was fond of traveling. Every year, she visited or entertained family and friends from Alberta, Ontario, Michigan, and San Francisco. The family tradition of euchre carried on throughout the years with good times and laughter. In her charming and welcoming demeanor, she made solid, loyal, and long-lasting friendships from grade school to nursing school and during her career in the oil and gas industry. Some described her as "bigger than life" and perhaps that is because she did not let her own medical vulnerabilities dictate her life. Instead, she liked to help others with her insight and wisdom. Her smile would light up the room!

Nora was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Paul, and brothers-in-law, Jerry Modney and Volkmar Neudoerffer. She is survived by her daughter Erin Ashby and her sisters, Ann Neudoerffer and Celeste Modney. She is also survived by her niece, Kirsten Neudoerffer Kangelaris (Gerald), V. Torben Neudoerffer (Paola), Kathleen Modney, and nieces Lila, Claire, and Iris Kangelaris. In continuation, Nora is survived by her brother-in-law, Brian Ashby and his wife Brenda, Patricia Windebank Ashby, and their four daughters, Lisa Ashby Badawey, Leah Ashby-Willson, Jessica Ashby, and Jenny Ashby. She is very much missed, but dearly and lovingly remembered. She has impacted so many lives in a positive way. We will cherish our wonderful memories of her.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4 p.m. on April 28, 2024 at First Baptist Church at Weston. Arrangements are by Fred Hunter's.

The family of Nora wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. David Baran and Charlene Juan with Cleveland Clinic, Veronica Young with Vitas, Jim and Linda Virtue, Stephany Wolgast, Celia Moore, Mardi Steffen, Pastor Brian Stiles, and the Empty Nesters Prayer Group.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, American Heart Association, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Shriners Children's, and Doctors Without Borders.

Interment will be at Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Date to be determined.