Hanorah Marie (Burke) Gaffney, a lifelong resident of Charlestown, passed away in Leominster Hospital on May 24, 2026 at the age of 90 years old. Norah was born on the family homestead in Ring, Co. Waterford, Ireland on September 1st, 1935. Affectionately called “Nonie” by her parents, Brigid and James, she was the second oldest of five children and a loving sister to her siblings, Maureen, John-Joe, Mikey, (RIP) and Jimmy Burke (RIP).

Nonie (Norah) attended Scoil Naisiunta na Rinne (Ring National School), followed by vocational training at The Tech in Dungarvan. She was a member of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA), an avid babysitter of her two younger cousins (Sean/Michael) in Helvic, and a proud employee of Colaiste na Rinne, a college dedicated to preserving the Gaelic language and cultural traditions.

Following her mother’s sudden death at forty, Norah made the difficult decision to leave her beloved Ireland. On September 19th, 1956, she sailed from the port of Cobh, Co.Cork, on the S.S. America bound for New York. She arrived a few days later on September 25,1956 starting a brand new life with an Aunt and Uncle she barely knew. Luckily for her, Aunt Nellie and Uncle Dennis were warm and nuturing folks.

With their guidance and encouragement, Norah flourished in her new environment. She found employment at Schrafft’s Chocolate Factory, the First National Stores and Hood’s Ice Cream. She joined St. Francis de Sales Church and took up bingo with Aunt Nellie at the Knights of Columbus. At the same time, she started going to Irish dances in Dudley Street. It is here she met many lifelong friends and her best friend, Bernard “Bernie” Gaffney. After a ten year courtship, Norah and Bernie married on May 22, 1971. Five years later, Theresa arrived in July of that year, completing their happy family.

Norah lived most of her life in Charlestown. She was a lunch mother at St. Francis. She was well-known customer at Dunkin Donuts, Johnnie’s Foodmaster, the Post Office, the Ninety-Nine Restaurant, Wholefoods, and CVS. During her husband’s eight year illness, she became a constant presence on the streets of Charlestown pushing him in his wheelchair around town. When she wasn’t busy sweeping up leaves or shoveling banks of snow outside her home, she could be found at 4pm mass on Saturday either in Arch Street at St. Anthony’s or at St. Francis with Fr. Mahoney.

Always a woman on the move, she NEVER sat still. In later years, she could be found walking around the Monument with her constant companion, Maeve Skittles or driving with her other best buddy, Theresa, to shopping excursions, dining spots, walks at the Revere Beach or Castle Island and visits to friends and family. Norah was always one for an adventure!!

Norah will be remembered for her amazing smile, her warm welcoming spirit, her loyal friendship and her unwavering determination in times of illness or crisis. Please join Theresa and Norah’s larger family of Gaffneys, Burkes, Weirs, Dufours, Fahys and Flynns, Shanahans, Slatterys and Hutts in celebrating her life at her wake on Wednesday, June 3rd from 4-7pm at The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St., Charlestown, MA. and her Funeral Mass on June 4th,2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Church, 303 Bunker Hill St., Charlestown, MA. Interment to follow at Cedar Grove Cemetary in Dorchester with her beloved Bernie.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Nonie's funeral on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 9 A.M. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by her Funeral Mass at 10 A.M. in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown. Her burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Dorchester. Her visiting hours will be held on Wednesday. June 3, 2026 from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Nonie's name to:

The Friends of Ryan "Duce" Morrissey Scholarship Fund

PO Box 290009

Charlestown, MA 02129

http://www.ryanmorrisseyscholarship.com/donations.html