 Nora O'Leary Smith 1917~2003 On August 19, 2003, Nora O'Leary Smith died after a long, yet graceful battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 86-years-old. Nora was born in Sharon, Massachusetts on June 14, 1917 to Thomas and Anna Dolan O'Leary. With part of the O'Leary farm sold to the Sharon Country Club, Nora grew up with a golf club in hand. In her youth, she became a leader in women's golf throughout New England. She was also a gifted fashion designer. In high school she ran her own business in the art studio her father built for her, designing and sewing clothes for several clients. In 1939, Nora graduated from Massachusetts School of Art in Boston and joined the faculty. Nora remembered fondly being the youngest faculty member at the time, Cyrus Dallin was the oldest. With a dream in her heart, Nora moved to New York to launch her career in fashion. She became fashion editor of Ladies Home Journal magazine and stayed for 25 years until moving to Family Circle Magazine for another decade. She traveled the world on magazine assignments and loved her work with a passion. She retired at 73. Nora loved her family with equal passion. She met her stockbroker husband John J. Smith in New York, marrying in 1947. Nora and John raised their family of four in midtown Manhattan and made their children's education and happiness their top priority. Nora is survived by her four children: Stephen G. (Sally) Smith and Richard N. (Kathy) Smith of Washington, D.C., Wendy (Chris) Born of Philadelphia and Nancy (Michael) Nebeker of Sandy, Utah and 12 grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband and parents. In her almost eight years in Utah, Nora has been cared for by many loving and compassionate souls. Our love and gratitude goes out to Jennifer, Kevin, Nikki, Luther, and all those at Silverado who made her life so full. To Yolande, Jolene, Mo, Suzanne, Adrianne, Carolee, Lillianne, Betty and all the angels at Caresource Hospice, words cannot express our appreciation adequately. There is a deep debt of gratitude owed to Dr. Steven Fehlauer who attended Nora until the end with love and great wisdom. A memorial service will be held to honor Nora's life Thursday August 28, at the Sandy Granite View Stake Center at 9880 South 3100 East at 6 p.m. Burial services will be held in Little Compton, Rhode Island.
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Published in Deseret News from Aug. 24 to Aug. 25, 2003
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