Nora Dorrian

Nora Patricia Dorrian, age 86, was called to Heaven by Jesus on May 26, 2018.  In the hours before her death, Nora received from Father Blau the sacrament of last rites and Holy Communion with her brother Hugh by her side, prayed the rosary with her friend Mary Sue, was embraced by her dear friend Joan and sister Mary and was holding the hands of her nieces Julie and Anne when she passed. 

Born in Wheeling, West Virginia on April 19, 1932, Nora was the fifth of eight children of Irish immigrant parents, Hugh Joseph Dorrian and Anna O’Flaherty.  With her family she moved to Columbus, Ohio and grew up on Campbell Avenue in the Franklinton neighborhood and attended and graduated from Holy Family Grade and High Schools in 1950.   In her later years she volunteered at the Holy Family Parish Center and was an active in the Holy Family Alumni Network.

Nora graduated from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in 1953.  She worked her entire life as a registered nurse, in hospitals, doctor offices,private duty nursing and eventually retiring from the State of Ohio doing occupational nursing for state employees.   A nurse to the end, she continued to care for her brother John at Wesley Glen Retirement Community where they both lived, and she often worried who would care for all her patients when she was no longer able.  She provided tender and competent care to each and every one. 

A long time resident of German Village, Nora was active in the German Village Society, volunteering regularly at the Meeting Haus and for many Society events.   Her beautiful home on 5th Street was featured on the Haus und Garden Tour in 1997 and for a time welcomed many visitors as Dorrian’s Bed and Breakfast.  Nora was one the founders of the German Village Garten Club and Frank Fetch Park thereby leaving a lasting legacy of flowers and gardens in the neighborhood she loved.  Her nieces and nephews fondly remember visits to Aunt Nonie’s home and being treated to ice cream at Islay’s, breakfast at Thurn’s or pizza at Planks on Parsons. 

Proud of her Irish heritage, Nora was a member of the Daughters of Erin for 40 years.  She volunteered tirelessly with the DOE and many Irish organizations including the Shamrock Club and the Emerald Society.  In 2000, Nora was honored by the DOE as the Irishwoman of the Year.  Nora was one of the founders of the Columbus Feis and immensely enjoyed Irish music and dancing.  She also was one of the original volunteers at the Dublin Irish Festival.  St. Patrick’s Day was a Holy Day for Nora.  Every year she marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade rain, shine or snow.  She visited Ireland several times and celebrated her family’s roots in Counties Galway and Donegal.  She was a devoted member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Nora is predeceased by her beloved parents Hugh and Anna O’Flaherty Dorrian, sisters Julia, Sister Mary Macrina R.S.M. (Peg) and brother Mike, brothers-in-law Dick and Frank, sister-in-law Mary Martha and nieces Gig and Haley.    She is survived by her sisters Mary and Margory (Marge), brothers Hugh (Janice) and John and nieces and nephews Julia (Julie), Margaret, Mary, Hugh Joseph, William, John, Steve, Jeff, Frank, John, Mary, Anne, Beth, Michael, Joe, Mary Ann, Dick and many nephews- and nieces-in-law and great nieces and nephews.  We all loved Aunt Nonie very much.

Family will receive friends from 4-7 pm, Tuesday, May 29, at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 4661 Kenny Road, 43220.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am, Wednesday, May 30, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 280 N. Grant Avenue, 43215.  In lieu of flowers, to honor Nora, contributions may be made to the Daughters of Erin, P.O. Box 1912, Columbus, OH 43216-1912, or to the German Village Society, 588 South 3rd Street, 43215. 

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