Eleanor Gertrude (Olmsted) McMorrow

McMorrow, Eleanor Gertrude (Olmsted), known as Nora, wife of the late John P. McMorrow, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 in her apartment in Franke at Seaside, Mount Pleasant, SC. She died shortly before her 92nd birthday.

Nora is survived by her three sons: John P. McMorrow, Worcester, MA, attorney; Stanley S. McMorrow, DDS and his wife Nancy of Norton, MA and Philip E. McMorrow and his wife Heidi, of Calabasas, CA; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Nora was born in Danville, IL, on November 15, 1925. She was the daughter of Gene Stanley Olmsted, a retired colonel in the army who served in both world wars and Phyllis Swaim Olmsted. Nora had two siblings: Gene Stanley Olmsted and Mary Olmsted Rinn, both of whom are deceased.

Nora received her A.A. degree from Monicello College, Alton, IL and received her B.S at Northwestern University, School of Commerce, Evanston, IL. She went to Boston where she worked in the advertising department of Filene's Department Store before she was married in 1950 to her husband and relocated to Brooklyn, New York where she worked in the advertising department of Abraham and Strauss Department Store.

In 1953 the McMorrows moved back to the Boston area and, in 1956, settled in Westwood, MA where they were longtime residents. During the next 40 years Nora was working and active in the community. In addition to raising three sons, Mrs. McMorrow wrote the popular weekly column "Around the Town" and became the Editor of The Westwood Press and editorial Assistant of the Norwood Messenger. She also worked for Century 21 Real Estate as a Centurion, GRI - Graduate Realtor Institute CRS - Certified Residential Specialist.

Nora will be remembered as a loving mother and a blond dynamo with extraordinary vitality and a keen interest in community affairs. She served on the Town of Westwood's Ways and Means and Conservation Commissions, was a Prefect of St. Margaret Mary's Sodality in 1962, president of the League of Woman Voters in 1963 and 1964, a nominating chairman of the Westwood Woman's Club, a Cub Scout leader, and a member of the Xaverian High School Parents Club. She was the publicity chairman in Westwood for the Mass. Bay United Fund Drive in 1966, a board member of the Westwood Garden Club, a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a chairman of the Westwood Council on Aging.

Nora and her husband John retired to Mt. Pleasant, SC in 1995. Nora revitalized the study group program for the College of Charleston Retirement organization before becoming its president and being awarded its first Outstanding Service Award. Nora, and her husband, John, volunteered for many Charleston organizations and were active parishioners of Christ Our King Catholic Church. Nora was an active member of the Franke at Seaside community where she and her husband moved in 2009. Mrs. McMorrow twice served on the Resident's Council and on the Waterside Sunshine Club.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 13th at 11:00 am at Christ Our King Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, SC. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service for Nora on Friday November 17th at 11am at Old Westwood Cemetery (corner of High and Nahatan Streets, Westwood). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nora's memory to The Westwood Public Library 21st Century Fund, 660 High Street, Westwood, Massachusetts 02090.

Holden-Dunn-Lawler
www.hdlfuneralhome .net