Nora Patricia O’Donnell passed away peacefully on December 5th, 2025, at South Bruce Grey Health Centre in Walkerton at 92 years old.
Beloved wife of the late Sean O’Donnell (1979), loving mother to Marion (Alex), Brendan, Kevin (Stephanie), Brian (Kathy), and Kieran (Christy). Nora was an incredible grandmother to Brendan (Pamela), Alan, Thomas (Megan), Rory (Cassie), Riley (Ellie), Dylan (Kathy), Sean (Rob), Liam, Ryan, Kaeden (Robert), Madison, and Morgan. Nora was a very proud great-grandmother to Jackson, Avia, Henry, Benjamin, Jameson, Beckham, and Finley.
Nora is survived by one sister, Maureen, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Bridget and Edward Naughton, her brothers and sisters John, Stephen, Eamon, Martin, Bridget, Kathleen, Margaret, Augustine, Patrick, Thomas, and Anne. She is also predeceased by one grandchild, Eli/Kiera.
Whether you knew her as Nora, Mom, Auntie Nora, Nana, Grandma, Grandnana, Mrs. O’D, or Mrs. O’Donnell, she would put you at ease right away. Her warm smile, quick wit and Irish charm were some of the attributes that ensured a wide circle of friends and family who loved her very much.
Nora grew up in a small town in County Mayo, Ireland. At 17, she moved to London, England to attend nursing school. It was in London that she met Sean, the love of her life. They married, and then immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, where Nora had been recruited as a nurse. They returned to Ireland and England for a few years, then came to Ontario and settled in the Hamilton/Dundas area. Nora continued to work, first at St Joseph’s Hospital and later at St Joseph’s Villa, while raising her family. Nora enjoyed having company. You couldn’t drop in without being offered a cup of tea, and if your timing was right, a slice of homemade Irish soda bread. The hospitality was extended to family, friends, or someone doing a service call. Nora enjoyed playing cards and scrabble (especially with her grandchildren). She played scrabble a few days before she became ill. In their younger days, Sean and Nora enjoyed going to dances and being involved with the Irish Canadian Club. Nora had a strong faith and belief in the power of prayer and church community. Mostly, she enjoyed being around people, being helpful and caring.
The family is grateful to everyone who helped to make Nora’s life more comfortable these last few years. We appreciate everyone who reached out to Mom by telephone, text message, sent cards or came to visit while Mom was in Walkerton. We would like to thank the staff at Brucelea Haven for the wonderful and loving care, the staff at South Bruce Grey Health Centre for excellent care at both the Walkerton and Chelsey sites, and to Dr. Gill. Special mention to friends Marlene and Maynard Goette, Terry and Dan Tedic, Linda Brunton, Karen McGlynn, Carolyn Pierson, and Joanne Thompson.
A visitation will be held at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas, on Friday, January 9th, 2026, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A funeral mass will take place on Saturday, January 10th, 2026, at Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, 1349 Main Street West, Hamilton, at 10:00 a.m. After that, a private family interment will take place, followed by a reception at The Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club, 10 Woodleys Lane, Dundas at 12:30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to South Bruce Grey Health Centre, or to a local food bank or charity of your choice.