She loved her family above all else.
We are celebrating the life of my mother here today.
There was nothing more important to Mama than her family. Family always came first. Family meant everything to her, even when she got sick. In her life, Mama went above and beyond for her family, more than most people would. She will be remembered for always having an open and generous heart. Mama had no enemies and she never held any grudges. It was also your continued support, well wishes, and prayers that were so valuable to her in her final weeks.
Nora Maud Cooper was born to Stanford and Amy Cooper on March 14, 1928, in Chester Castle, Hanover, Jamaica, West Indies. She was the third youngest of seven children. Sadly, only four siblings remain- Selvyn – Florida; Cynthia (May) – England; Norma (Tiney) – Atlanta; and Monica (Tip) - Jamaica.
We have received expressions of condolence from the many people Mama touched over the years. Their and your words match those that echo in my head with examples of her tireless and determined support of her friends and family throughout her life. The words that come to mind include: independence, courage, generosity, empathetic, integrity, dignity, selflessness, God-fearing, and indeed the word “life” itself – for few people I have ever known, lived life as fully or as well as Mama did.
I could talk for hours and provide numerous examples demonstrating her remarkable independence, including, of course, her desire to live at home until the end. Her decision to come to America, to restart her life in her forties and bring all her children and grandchildren here to Boston; as a single mother of six highmaintenance children. Is further evidence not only of her selflessness and determination, but also of her courage and willingness to tackle any challenge.
Her generosity with her time, her energy, and advice, provided invaluable support to a remarkable number of people. Over the years, and the past few days, I’ve heard many stories of friends, relatives, neighbors, and even strangers to whom Mama provided help and support in their times of need. One example, one day on her way home from work while waiting for the bus, Mama Nora saw a homeless lady, she talked with her and then gave her all the money she had (including her bus fare) and walked home that day. Such acts of spontaneous generosity were typical of Mama Nora from the stories I have heard.
Among the other words that describe her character, her uncompromising integrity and honesty have proven to be among the most important guides for me in my professional and personal life. Whenever I face a situation in which I am unsure about which direction to take, I have always had a tool to guide me in the form of a simple question: – “Would I be willing to tell Mama what I have done if I choose this path?”. Life forces us all into positions of compromise and presents challenges to our honesty and our integrity, and I observed Mama rise and meet those challenges one after the other throughout her life with courage and toughness and a sense of right and wrong which was awe-inspiring. It was her values and her commitment to family and people that kept her involved in community service in all respects until Parkinson’s Disease stopped her.
Her sense of dignity was never so tested nor so well demonstrated in the final years and months of her life. Even with being stiffened and immobile she refused to beg anyone for anything but would sit for hours and repeatedly say the Lord’s Prayer. I struggle to imagine myself being able to meet death with even 1/10th the dignity that I observed in Mama over the past weeks and which swelled me with pride each minute that I spent with her.
Finally, and perhaps the key to her happiness, was her independent approach to life. She was always in pursuit of another experience, a new adventure. Up until her last weeks, she was always able to crack a joke and even more able to laugh at herself in ways that had us laughing when we were around her.
We are grateful to all of those who provided support throughout her life and in her final years but I would like to especially thank Mary McKinley who came every week to give her communion when she could no longer go to church. To Father Joe who made home visits and called to pray with her at times.
My mother pursued a lifelong effort to build family connections and maintain our genealogical roots. She came to know so many people and has given us all an extraordinary collection of family knowledge, advice, and wisdom. Mama Nora had a character of the highest caliber who represented sensitivity and consideration towards all people, near and far, as well as extraordinary generosity and an unparalleled level of family involvement and dedication.
As a parent and friend, my mother had an extraordinary ability to make each of us feel stronger and more confident in our own identity. Giving us our own sense of independence and mental toughness which, speaking for myself, has been such an asset in so many ways in my life. She will live in our memories and our hearts forever and I will always be extremely proud to call myself the daughter of Nora Maud Gordon.
The Family of Nora Gordon encourages anyone who wishes, to make a donation to The Parkinson’s Foundation on Nora’s behalf.
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience, and passion of our global Parkinson’s community.
We design every page from Nora’s 79 photos. Make it yours, then order a copy for everyone who loved Nora.
Family milestones in gold, history for context
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Be your Best
Nora was such a beautiful person whom I met about 9 years ago through a church ministry. I looked forward every week to see what she was wearing as it always lifted my spirit. Often as we age we forget how to love life and all it offers us but not Nora. She loved being around people and dressing up!!! She is looking down on us now to live our lives to the fullest
A Tribute
I will always treasure and value the time I was blessed enough to spend with you. You accepted me in your trust and confided in me over the last 7 years. You were a plethora of knowledge and a joy to spend time with. I appreciate all the outings/adventures we were able to go on. Ms. Nora, I thank you for all the memories, you are loved beyond words can convey and will be missed beyond measure
A Tribute from Eloise Gordon
LETTER FROM A MOTHER TO A DAUGHTER/CHILD: My dear girl, the day you see I'm getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I'm going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don't interrupt to say: "You said the same thing a minute ago"... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don't want to take a bath, don't be mad and don't embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don't look at me that way ... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life's issues every day... the day you see I'm getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I'm going through. If I occasionally lose track of what we're talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can't, don't be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don't let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don't feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I'll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I've always had for you, I just want to say, I love you ... my darling daughter. Eloise Gordon Posted Jun 09, 2023 at 11:17am
A Tribute from Debbie Aka Marcia White
I remember visiting Aunty Tilly at her workplace (Jamaica Baptist Union) after school. We spent our time talking and laughing. Those are fond moments that I will always cherish. Rest in peace, my Aunt. Debbie Aka Marcia White Posted Jun 09, 2023 at 07:53pm
A Tribute from Terrie-Ann (Dion) Salkey
I remember Aunty Nora (Aunty Tilly) as a loving person who is always willing to extend herself to assist others. Aunty Tilly would make many trips to Jamaica and visited her sister Monica(Tip). During those visits Aunty would always have a little token to give along with encouraging words. She was a lover of fashion. I would always admire her for her Bold and elegant look. As a child growing up I remember the many postcards that Aunty Tilly sent to Mama(Monica/Tip) and within those cards would be a treat for Christmas.. I will always remember my Aunt Tilly in a special way. Terrie-Ann (Dion) Salkey Posted Jun 09, 2023 at 08:16pm
A Tribute from Mary McKinley
I feel truly blessed to have met Nora who loved the Lord and was always thinking of others. She had met my grandchildren and always asked for them when I came to give her communion. May you rest in the arms of Jesus now. Please continue to watch over us until we meet again. Mary McKinley
A Tribute from Selvin Cooper
I want to share a cherished memory of my beloved sister, Tilly, a woman who was the epitome of love, kindness, and selflessness. Growing up, Tilly was not just an older sister; she was a guiding light, a rock, and a second mother to me. We spoke on the telephone often, and those conversations were filled with warmth, laughter, and deep affection. Losing her has left an irreplaceable void in my heart and life. Tilly had a heart of gold, and her generosity knew no bounds. She would go the extra mile, leaving herself without, just to bring joy and comfort to others. At about 17 years old, when I came to Kingston to live with her, she sent me to trade school to become a mechanic. At that time, the cost was exorbitant, but she didn't hesitate to pay the $50 to ensure I had a chance at a better future. Because of her unwavering support, I found my passion for fixing things and becoming really good at my craft, and that gift set the course for the rest of my life. Thank you, my sister. Her love for her children was boundless, and she spoke of them with pride and tenderness every time we talked. Her only wish was for them to visit more often and spend more time with her. Roses, her favorite flowers, adorned her life, which is unsurprising since she worked as a florist in her earlier days. She found beauty in the simplest things like a blooming rose in the garden. Her appreciation for nature taught me to cherish the little wonders around me. Tilly faced challenges in life, but she remained courageous. Despite the obstacles, she embraced life with open arms and continued giving back to others whenever she could. Her selflessness was inspiring, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who crossed her path. But what I miss the most is hearing her voice, stories, daily news updates, and sense of humor. Every conversation with Tilly was filled with laughter and joy. She had a way of turning even the most challenging situations into a light-hearted moment, reminding us that life's trials can be overcome with a smile and a warm heart. As I write these words, tears of joy and sorrow fill my eyes. I am eternally grateful for the time I spent with my sister, the love she showered upon me, and the beautiful memories we created together. Nora "Tilly" Gordon will forever be in my heart, and I will strive to carry on her legacy of love, kindness, and courage. May this tribute book serve as a timeless reminder of her beautiful soul, touching the hearts of all who read it and inspiring future generations. I know all of my siblings, May, Tiny, and Tip, and even those resting ahead of you, Bounty and Sonny, would agree that you were the spark of our Cooper family and are so proud of the woman you became. Rest in peace, dear sister, and sleep well until we meet again. I love you. Your Brother, Selvin
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