Norah’s big smile said it all - 26.06.2009

IT is with sadness that we report the passing of one of the most familiar and popular faces in the south of Tenerife.

Norah was among the first influx of ex-pats to the Island, arriving here in 1988.

 

For a number of years, she worked as a sales rep at Island Village, before running the Victory Bar in Puerto Colon with her former husband, Dave Stell.

 

Like many people who live on the Island for years, Norah worked in several places, but she will be most remembered for the many years she spent at The Claddagh, Fagash Lil’s and Shakespeare’s (all in Los Cristianos).

 

For many people who came back year after year, Norah’s smiling face was the first thing they saw when they walked into the bar.

 

At one stage, Norah’s entire family lived on the island. Indeed, her daughter, Dawn Cetrulo, still lives here – running Sofias Weddings Bodas in Las Americas.

 

In 2003, ill health forced Norah to return to the UK, a major upheaval after so many years in Tenerife.

 

Initially she moved to Gateshead to live with her son, Chris, and his family, then in 2007 she moved to Brighton, to be near her other son, Nick.

 

During this time, Norah returned regularly to Tenerife to catch up with family and friends.

 

She loved her time in Brighton because it reminded her a lot of being in Tenerife. It gives her family a lot of comfort to know that she was very happy in the years preceding her death.

 

Norah will always be remembered for her kindness and her sense of fun – as well as the fact that she called a spade a spade and took no prisoners!

 

The final song played at her funeral – I am what I am – summed her up perfectly.

 

Norah Kirby passed away on Friday 29^th May at 8.10am in the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, through complications of a long-term illness. Dawn, Chris and Nick were with her at the time. Her funeral took place on Thursday, 4^th June on a sunny day. She is survived by her children and six grandchildren.