Nora Rachael (Parks) Keagan

Nora Keagan

North Sydney

Our beloved Matriarch - Nora Rachael (Parks) Keagan passed away peacefully on the morning of October 6th, 2023 at the An Cala unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with her loving family by her side.  Nora was born on March 22nd, 1935 in North Sydney to Elizabeth Jane (Bishop) (d1985) and Daniel Parks (d1982).  She was 88 years old. 

As a young woman Nora attended Business School in Halifax graduating with a Secretarial Diploma.  She then returned home to Cape Breton and obtained employment at Angel Manufacturing.  From there she left the workforce to marry and have her children.  Once her children were all school age, she re-entered the work force after receiving a second diploma from the Cape Breton Business College.  Nora worked for various companies over the years, with a lengthy position in the receiving department at the Metropolitan Store in North Sydney.  She also worked many years at Reg MacNeil Insurance Company.  Nora also had many clients that depended on her each year for the completion of their income tax returns.  She was also a long-term volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society. 

Nora was the beloved wife of, and predeceased by, her husband Thomas Francis Keagan in 1988.  Together they had seven children.  Daniel (Janice), Karen (Stuart) Dominey, Thomas (Oona), Angus (d2005) (Doreen), Jane Keagan, Nancy (Greg) Petite, and Beverly(d2014). 

Nora was the firstborn of nine children.  She was cherished and highly respected by her siblings:  Theresa Taylor, Ernest, Daniel (d1946), Harold, Alexander, Ellen O’Neil, Ralph (d1973), and Marlene Parks. 

Loving grandmother to 22 grandchildren:  Tracey, Amanda, Megan, Jennifer, Amy, Elizabeth, Katherine, Colleen, Thomas, Nathan, Jordan, Hunter, Nicole, Ralph, Brandy, Nora, Joshlon, Stephanie, Brandon, Daniel (d2022), Brian, and Ashley.  …and 30 great grandchildren:  Riley, Cooper, Ryder, Skylah, Briella, Kylie, Halle, Keagan, Trevin, Tyler, Raymond, Hannah, Mia, Danica, Keenan, Breton, Ella, Joel, Owen, Kennedy, Lucas, Willow, Gavin, Gabriel, Matthew, Noah, Mya, Alexa, Landon, & Ayla.  She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews. 

Nora was the matriarch of our family, the glue that kept everyone close, and someone everyone loved and cherished.  She was a strong role model and rock of the family.  She had a deep Catholic faith and always attended mass regularly until her mobility prevented her from doing so.  Family and friends were the center of Nora’s life, she was always behind the scenes supporting all of us.   She was at her happiest when she was having get togethers and cooking her favorite dishes for family and friends.   She will be forever remembered, always loved, and will eternally hold a special place in the hearts of her family and friends.

A visitation for Nora will be held on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. A funeral mass will be held 11 am Wednesday October 11th at St. Joseph Catholic Church officiated by Father Doug MacDonald, with graveside service to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorials in Nora’s name may be made to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or to a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family by leaving a message on the tribute wall of the obituary at www.wjdooley.com . 

Legacy of Love

A wife, a mother, a grandma too,

This is the legacy we have for you

You taught us love and how to fight,

You gave us strength; you gave us might.

A stronger person would be hard to find.

And in your heart, you were always kind.

You fought for us all in one way or another,

Not just as a wife not just as a mother.

For all of us you gave your best.

Now the time has come for you to rest.

So go in peace, you’ve earned your sleep.

Your love in our hearts, we’ll eternally keep.

(author unknown)

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