Norah McDermott, 91, passes away

Columbus, OH — Norah (Nonie) McDermott (nee Kane), 91, died Nov. 7, 2023.

Born in Renvyle By The Sea, County Galway, Ireland, she immigrated to the United States in 1950 and lived in Boston, Mass. She later moved to Kearny in 1961 and lived there for 40 years before moving to Toms River, N.J. Soon after, she would go on spending time with each of her children and enjoying family life. She thoroughly enjoyed sharing her memories about Ireland, family and life.

Norah McDermott started working full time at the Meadowlands in the 1980s at the arena, then the stadium and finished out in the racetrack backstretch. She worked for the NJSEA for over 25 years and retired in 1998.

The backstretch was her favorite place to be, as she loved talking to and caring for all the horsemen and women. Her favorite drivers of all time were Wally Hennessey, John Campbell, Daniel Dube, Jack Parker Jr. and most recently, David Miller, Yannick Gingras, Tim Tetrick and the McCarthy brothers.

She visited the Meadowlands every year since opening night in 1976. She spent nearly every weekend at the old Meadowlands with her late husband Anthony. They both enjoyed watching the races together. A few of her favorite events she loved attending were the Meadowlands Pace and the Hambletonian.

She also loved cheering on both of her sons as well, John and Kevin McDermott. She never missed a race and was the first to call after the race to congratulate them on each win.

Harness racing lost a long time #1 fan, Nora Kane McDermott.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, N.J., on Sunday (Nov. 12) from 1-5 p.m. The funeral will begin in the funeral home on Monday morning at 8:45 a.m. then to Queen of Peace R.C. Church, North Arlington, N.J., for a 9:45 a.m. Funeral Mass. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, N.J.

She is survived by two daughters, Maureen (John) Hansen and Eileen (Ernest) Armitage; two sons, John (Nancy) and Kevin (Sheri); two sisters, Kathleen Stewart and Madeline Nikoras; grandchildren, Shannon, John Jr., Kane, Ernest, Keely, Eilish, Caitlin, Mary, Liam, Kyla and Jessica; and great-granddaughter, Emily Norah. She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony, in 2014.

From the USTA