Nora Harper Barbee

Nora Harper Barbee, 76, passed away on January 8, 2013, at Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nora was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 15, 1936 to Richard Francis Harper and Nora Marie Murphy. She and her two sisters had a wonderful childhood, surrounded by a close and loving family. Nora discovered at an early age that she loved to sing. While at St. Bartholomew’s Grammar School, Nora began her singing career with her friend, Marge Gibbons, on Stan Lee Brosa’s Children’s Hour. In their sophomore year at Little Flower High School, Nora and Marge began singing regularly on radio in Philadelphia. Performing as the Two Tones or the O’Day Sisters, Nora and Marge performed for the U.S.O. at Fort Dix and Valley Forge Hospital and on the Grady & Hurst television show in Philadelphia. Just four months after graduating from Little Flower High, Nora and Marge began performing with the Ralph Flanagan Orchestra, with whom they performed throughout the United States, including performances at the Hollywood Palladium. Nora is survived by her sisters, Jean Donovan of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and Sister Mary Harper of Washington, D.C.; her half-brother, Richard Harper of Houston, Texas; her son, Michael Wert, and his wife Patricia of Alta Loma, California; her daughter, Georganne Wert Bradley, of Las Vegas, Nevada; her grandson, Brandon Wert, and his wife Jennifer of Rancho Cucamonga, California; her grandson, Brian Wert, and his wife Taryn of Crestline, California; and her great-grandson, Gavin Wert, of Rancho Cucamonga, California.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement, 41 Old Highland Turnpike (Graymoor), Garrison, New York 10524.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Eastern Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.