Nora (Honora) Krisztina Pokorny Jacob Carlsen
January 13, 1925 ~ July 4, 2015
Nora (Honora) Krisztina Pokorny Carlsen, 90, died Saturday, July 4, 2015, at Springbrook Center, Westbrook. Nora was born to Dr. Istvan Pokorny and Illona Kerezsy on January 13, 1925, in Budapest, Hungary where she lived until 1956. At the age of 31 she courageously left war-ravaged communist Hungary to immigrate to Illinois to raise her children in a country filled with freedom and opportunity. She was educated at Patrona Hungarie as a history major and a Red Cross Nurse. At the University of Poazmany Peter, she studied pre-medicine for two years. She married Laszlo Jakab (Jacob) and bore three children prior to leaving Hungary. Once in America, she settled in the Chicago metro area, had two more children and became a registered nurse. As an RN, she worked in a cardiac step-down unit and enjoyed a robust life with her second husband, Haldor Carlsen. In addition to travel, Nora loved to engage in historical conversation and debate. The Bible was one of her favorite historical tomes to discuss. Nora had a strong faith and was a practicing Roman Catholic her entire life, most recently at St. Michaels Parish in Augusta. Nora has been a resident of Augusta since 2002, where the natural beauty of the state brought her joy each day. Nora is survived by her five children: Kristina Mace (Joe) of Colorado, Agnes Fry (Mike) of Hawaii, Nora Streiffer of Oregon, Martha Vrana-Bossart (Jan) of Portland, and Andrew Jacob (Anne) of Colorado. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Visiting Hours will be held at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2Pm at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. To view Noras memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ctcrawford.com.
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Dearest Cousins, Grand-Cousins, and Great-Grand-Cousins,As soon as I had heard this sad news from Kis Nora , on July 4th, at the time of my regular monthly calls to Noraneni, I went to Holy-Ghost Catholic Parish Church to pray a Rosary for the repose of Beloved Noraneni’s soul in heaven.The Church teaches that one can win a plenary indulgence for a soul to be released from Purgatory by praying 5 decades of the Rosary for that soul’s entry into heaven, by praying them before the Holy Eucharist.That evening or the next, I called Marti to express my sorrow and to give my condolences to all of you, though you were all at a family dinner commiserating with. and doubtless regaling, each other, with stories of your happy memories of your mother, so I didn’t have the opportunity to speak to you each.I continue to pray for Nora and Lazlo and Haldor at that point of each Mass when the priest-celebrant calls us to remember the souls of our loved ones who have passed on to their eternal reward.Between these prayers, we can be sure we will enjoy Nora’s Happy presence when we join her and all our loved ones in the heaven of heavens! So take courage, as do I, that she is already interceding for each of us with Y’shuallah Ha-MasiiH (Rev. 14:1)!
– Tamas J. Kuna-(Jacob)
Our sincere sympathy to all of you on the passing of your mother Nora. She was most compassionate and a good person to talk to when you needed someone. Will always remember going to mass with her while visiting in Arlington Heights where she proudly introduced me as her Lutheran niece to the priest. May she live on in your hearts thru your fond memories.
– Wendy Carlsen Schroeder and Norm Schroeder
Nora’s passing was the end of an entire generation, and it was wonderful to have all her children around her at the end. The Fourth of July will now have a new remembrance to attach to Independence Day. Nora’s life was an amazing, almost historic, rollercoaster ride through wars, occupations, Air Force One to freedom, and life in the US. She had a smile to the end.
– Michael Fry
For the entire extended family of Nora — your wonderful sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother: Please accept our deep condolences on the loss of such a treasure. Many years ago, long before she left Illinois, Nora and I became acquainted because of our mutual love of gardening. Through the years we periodically visited and talked. Her children and her beloved Haldor were the lights of her life, and the subjects she talked about most. Oh yes, our conversations strayed far and wide too — with such an intelligent and well=educated lady, there was much to discuss, and the talks were always interesting.After she moved from Illinois, I saw her only 2 more times, during visits back here when she stayed with her sister. But we wrote and exchanged Christmas cards and talked on the phone all these years. The last time we spoke was in the winter or spring of this year, perhaps, but it could have been before that. She seemed tired but happy. It was the only more recent conversation in which she did not mention how old she was. (Since the year she turned 84 she had thought of herself as virtually ancient. I tried to talk her out of that notion, but she persevered.) Nora was such a lovely lady, with a true caregiver’s personality — she was always loving and thoughtful. You were blessed with a mother such as she, and we wish you Peace in her absence.Sincerely, Kathleen and Dave Schalk
– Kathleen and Dave Schalk of Mt. Prospect, IL
Our deepest sympathies are with you and your family.
– Robert & Susan Coleman
Dear Family, I was so sorry to hear about my Grandma Nora’s passing. I am glad that she passed with family by her side. I had such a nice time visiting with her the last few times that we got together in recent years (thanks to my mom Judy), and was glad that she was able to meet and visit with my wife Julie. It was nice knowing that she was so proud of me for becoming a nurse! I know that she loved you guys all very much. I am sorry to not make the funeral services because of work (and financial) limitations… If we are able to make it out to that side of the country sometime soon, we will look forward to paying our respects in person.Kindest Regards,Jeremy Philip Carlsen
– Jeremy Carlsen
Our deepest sympathies to the whole family
– David and Pam Carlsen
Andrew,My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of loss that you will find strength and comfort in family, friends and warm memories of your mother.Kim
– Kim Stabler
Our prayers are with you and your family. God’s peace!
– David & Elizabeth Smith