Noreen Leahy (O'Leahy) - Cremation Society of Virginia

Noreen Leahy (O'Leahy)

February 7, 1933 - March 24, 2021

Noreen Leahy (O’Leahy) of Billerica, MA passed away on March 24, 2021 in her daughter’s home in Williamsburg, VA, with family present. She was eighty-eight years old and is survived by her three children, Donald Contini, John Contini, and Kathleen Borres (Bryan), her six grandchildren, four great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other members of the family and friends she held close to her heart.

Noreen was a young-hearted, spirited woman of Irish descent. She loved to learn; and pursued higher education in her middle years, ultimately earning a BA in Psychology from the University of Lowell (1983) and an M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of New Hampshire (1986). She put her knowledge into practice, maintaining as she could a part-time, private counseling service. Noreen loved music, books, paintings, and cultural artifacts. She loved to travel and lived in and visited many different places in the world, even staying in hostels. She was resourceful, kind, and generous and imagined and hoped for the best in all. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly and, in spirit, has taken them and other loved ones with her into eternity. She was loved by them all and by so many other family members and friends. May she rest in peace, in the realization of what only faith can bring.

There will be a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Billerica, MA (796 Boston Road) on April 8, 2021, followed by an 11:00 a.m. committal service at Fox Hill Cemetery in Billerica, Ma (130 Andover Road). Per current CDC and state guidelines, the Church requests that face covering and distancing requirements be respected. In addition, those planning to attend the Funeral Mass are asked to register through the Church’s website, using SignUp Genius. Noreen’s funeral is listed on that webpage. See https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4aaaaa2eaaf94-billerica4.

Those who wish to express sympathy may consider making a donation in Noreen’s memory to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; Salesian Missions, 2 Lefevre Lane, New Rochelle, NY 10801-5710 or Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, P.O. Box 300, 1350 Route 8, Garrison, NY 10524-030. Other expressions of sympathy, including flowers and cards, are also welcome.

Cremation Society of Virginia-Newport News assisted the family with arrangements.

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Noreen and I met as neighbors in the late 60's. She was a kind, intelligent, free spirited longtime friend. She introduced me to hosteling on a trip to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket in the 80's. It was a wonderful experience and a lot of fun. She will always be remembered.

John & Family.. In our thoughts & prayers ..?❤ Kat & Karen Thompson

John & Family In our thought & prayers..?❤

Noreen O’ Leahy I will always will remember Aunt Noreen. She was a free spirit in her time, always loving and caring to everyone. My fondest memory is visiting her and cousins Don, John and Kathleen when we were young adults. She opened her house to me and my wife and showed us a wonderful time during our visit with her. During her visits it’s my Mom she always asked about the people in our lives and how they were doing; always expressing love and concern to everyone. She will be deeply missed. God’s Blessing, Bill Eltrich

I’ll always miss Noreen. We had been friends since early 70’s. Hiking, walking, visits and phone calls. She was ALWAYS easy to be with. We had many laughs, teas and remembrances. She’d simply drop by and make herself comfortable. Food and beds made no difference to her, it was the company she would seek. And, Thanks to John, we got to see each other one last time here in MA. at the Concord Inn. YOUR presence will be MISSED, my dear Noreen. Love you forever and ever, Nora

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Cousins, We are so sorry for your loss. Noreen was a very special lady and will be missed. We all have another angel looking down on us. XoXo, Vince, Angela, Dominic & Natalie Contini

My heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your mom I am sending to you,Kathleen,Donald, and John, may the Lord bring you peace during this sad time.Dear Aunt Noreen may you rest in peace. I will miss you always and I am so thankful for my sweet memories of you,our many talks about books,poetry,philosophy and our shared love of nature and the earth,and the lost art of letter writing, I will love you always, Victoria

so missed

Even to this day, I smile at one of our adventures. I heard about an Augustus Saint Gauden's Sculpture exhibit about two hours from Portsmouth. At this time, Noreen had a bit of a problem walking on uneven surfaces. Most all of the sculptures were spread out on grassy knolls to be observed. She politely and generously told me to go on ahead and she would simply sit in the shade. You have got to be kidding, no way was I going to do that. We did not come all this way for her to sit and not see these magnificent pieces of art, which she enjoyed. I asked her to get back in the car and without permission from the museum, drove her around on the lawns and grassy knolls, with her laughing all the way. Yes, we were stopped at one point, but after a courteous explanation, we were allowed to continue driving on the lawn.. We even stopped every so often and she was able to walk up closely to see the magnificent pieces on display. It was a fun day!.

Noreen is a cherished and loving gift to all of us, especially her family. I will not say "was", as her spirit lives on in all of those whose lives she touched. In life, she was a powerful, humble, generous and loving woman, and so very gentle. I admired her tenacity and loved our friendship. Always smiling and not just with her lips but with that twinkle in her eyes. Her presence will be especially and sorely missed by you, her dear family, and I shall also, In God's loving arms, she will hear: "Well done my child"...

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.