Nora Lillian Curran

Nora Lillian Curran passed away peacefully on Oct 26, 2023 at age 101. As was her wont - she was fully in charge of her affairs and memories to the end still maintaining the East York residence built by her father. She is survived by 5 nephews, a niece and numerous cousins around the globe and was predeceased by 2 sisters, her dear son Don Cooper, her loving husband Alf and her cherished cat Zoe. Her ashes will be interred beside Alf’s at Mount Pleasant Cemetery during a Memorial service to be arranged in the Spring.

A vibrant, inventive and creative person, Nora had a lively connection to the world around her. From her passion for poetry and classical music, to her love of all things literary and theatrical (King Lear to Turner Classic Movies) she received deep enjoyment from the arts. She was a mean hand at home fix-it jobs, sewing and gardening. Growing up in East York she took art classes as a young girl at the Art Gallery of Ontario from Art Lismer (Group of Seven) with her life long friend Char. On one of her visits to relatives in Ireland she kissed the Blarney Stone and there ever after claimed an excuse for her gift of the gab.

Forced to leave University during the war years Nora embarked on many diverse and varied careers including Window Design, Miniature Model production, Book Keeping and Ranching until she finally discovered her life’s vocation as Teacher. She became an elementary school teacher in Toronto where all her interests and creativity found full use as she engaged her charges in a range of Nora-created games inspiring imaginative learning. She had a flair for social events at school involving both kids and staff. These events were never dull. She completed University to expand her love of literature and to enhance her teacher credentials and skills. These highly creative years and the close associations made with her colleagues sparkled in Nora’s memories for the remainder of her life. She never stopped teaching and making people laugh. All that knew her will remember her crying out triumphantly more than once “there - I taught you something”. She will be much remembered and very much missed.