Nora “Noreen” C. (Lynch) Morris, 72, of Londonderry, NH, passed away peacefully on Wednesday December 16, 2020, in the Community Hospice House, Merrimack, NH. She was born on August 13, 1948, in Lowell, MA, a daughter of the late Charles J. and Nora C. (McLarnon) Lynch.
Nora was a proud, self-employed real estate appraiser with a legendary work ethic and grasp of the industry. She was also generous, kind, quirky, and fun. Her grandchildren had this to say about her: “We love how thoughtful Nana is. We love how loving Nana is. She loves her family so much and has always made that clear. We love and admire how giving Nana is. We love how strong Nana is. She’s gone through so much and has always been a fighter. We love how humorous Nana is. She always made us laugh, sometimes without trying.” Her catchphrase when talking anything through with her three children was “I just want you to be happy.” She meant it. She did not want much, but she genuinely wanted that.
She is survived by her kids, Eileen M. (Morris) Lingley of Bedford, NH, and her husband, David; Christine C. Morris of Windham, NH, and her husband, Hans Schulz; and Timothy J. Morris of Manchester, NH; as well as her adoring grandchildren Cody, Gabriella, Harper, and Theo. She also remained close with her former husband, Robert J. Morris, and his family. She was predeceased by her sister Mary Elizabeth “Bettie” (Lynch) Valentine. She also leaves behind many beloved cousins, her dear and devoted friends, including those from the Lowell High School Class of ’66 (“the Yayas”), and countless people who worked with her, adored her, and formed bonds with her at seemingly every Dunkin Donuts’ drive-thru within a 30-mile radius of her home. She was known for being able to pull up to the speaker and simply say, “It’s Nana!” Everyone knew her order (a giant coffee with “a zillion creams” that she would never actually finish). The immediate and lasting bonds she formed with people in everyday life often bewildered her children, but when questioned, she would simply say with a toothy grin, “I make friends wherever I go.” This included the incredible nurses at Catholic Medical Center who cared for her in her final days, and told her children repeatedly how much they loved her.
There are no calling hours. A celebration of her life will be held next summer, when it is safe to gather friends and family to share stories about what a big-hearted hoot she was. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the American Heart Association. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium of Derry and Londonderry are assisting the family with arrangements.