Page 54 - QARANC Vol 16 No 2 2018

52 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Nora Starkey
14 March 1944 – 9 November 2017
Nora was born in Widnes in Lancashire on 14 March 1944 and was one of four children with two brothers and one sister. In 1947 the family moved to Cardiff where her father Jim joined the household of Archbishop Michael McGrath, Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff.
Nora was educated at our Lady’s Convent, Cardiff and St Alban’s Convent, Pontypool. In 1962 she commenced general nurse training at Cardiff Royal Infirmary and after qualifying undertook a course in anaesthetics and intensive care. She then became a staff nurse, and after a period as night sister was promoted to senior anaesthetics sister in 1969. In 1971 she was appointed anaesthetics nursing officer at the University Hospital of Wales Cardiff. Nora was responsible for anaesthetics and recovery and was very highly thought of by her medical colleagues who relied on her a great deal. In 2004 Nora was awarded the Pask Certificate of Honour in recognition of her contribution to
anaesthetics.
In 1975 Nora joined QARANC
Territorial Army and was a member of 203 General Hospital Cardiff, where she attained the rank of Major. Nora had a great sense of humour and many of her colleagues recall being entertained by her stories and extreme wit.
She was a member of the Confederation of Internallied Medical Reserve Officers, the medical arm of NATO. As a result of this, Nora was invited to join the NATO Grand Priory of St Sebastian Soldier and Martyr and appointed Dame of the Order in 2008.
Throughout her life Nora was a constant support to her family and as one of her nephews said ‘she was simply the best auntie in the world’. She was a member of many charitable organisations including NSPCC, Tenovus, Women’s Institute, the Dramatic Society and Radyr Parish Music Group. Nora was a member of the Welsh Branch of the QARANC Association and was branch chair for a
number of years. She was a very good artist and one year painted two scenes for Christmas cards, which the branch had printed and sold to raise funds.
In recent years her health deteriorated but she bore her problems discreetly and with great fortitude, attending branch events where possible.
Nora’s memorial service was held on 30 November at Christ Church, Radyr, followed by committal at Thorn Hill Cemetery.
Our sincere condolences are with her brothers and family. Nora will be greatly missed by many.
Marilyn Williams Welsh Branch
Last Post
Elizabeth ASHWORTH 18 June 2018
Major (Retd) Barbara BREWSTER 27 April 2018
Mrs Natalie BROOKS WATSON (nee POOLEY)
16 November 2017 aged 82
Miss Diana CARTER 13 January 2018 aged 69
Mrs Elizabeth CHICK (nee Maclean)
Mada CLARE 11 July 2018 aged 105
Betty COLE 10 March 2018 aged 101
Mrs Kathleen CONNOR date not known
Joan DRAFFEN 5 June 2017
Veronica Mary FAHY 1 June 2018 aged 90
Lt Col (Retd) Gill FISHER 21 May 2018 aged 88 Mary GARDNER 6 March 2018
Patricia Mary KENNEDY date not known
Major Paul MALCOLM July 2017
Major (Retd) Gordon Albert MANNING
Mrs Cicely MANTHORPE 23 October 2017 aged 97 Sharon Rose MARKS 26 January 2018
Anne NAYLOR 22 January 2018
Joan (Joyce) PARSONS 8 April 2018 aged 97
Finola RUDD 15 February 2018
Nora STARKEY 9 November 2017 aged 73
Mrs KP STEPHENS (nee BRADLEY) 17 August 2012
Mary WEBB 2018 aged 100
Lt Col (Retd) Pamela WHEABLE RRC
11 January 2018
Mrs Shirley WOOD 18 June 2018 aged 86