Kardos, Noreen September 10, 1927 - December 15, 2022

Noreen Cassidy Kardos

On Thursday December 15, 2022, Noreen (Norah)Kardos née Cassidy, loving mother of two, grandmother of three and aunt, cousin and friend of many, passed away in her sleep at the age of 95.

Born in County Roscommon, Ireland, Noreen lived there until 16 when she adventurously moved alone to the Liverpool area of England where she made lifelong friends and spent several very happy years living and working.  She then made her way to Canada where she lived for a short period of time. It wasn’t long before Noreen fulfilled her dream of going to New York City where she lived for the rest of her life.

Noreen loved being in New York. She lived in the Bronx and worked on Madison Avenue in Manhattan as a bookkeeper.  In the 1950’s she met Joseph Kardos at a Catholic dance in Manhattan. They married in 1958 and had two children, Stephen and Mareen.

Starting in the 1970s Noreen worked in the New York City school system for over 20 years, enjoyed her job, made new lifelong friends and retired in the 90s.  During this time, Noreen also pursued her Associates Degree and graduated with honors.

In the summers, Noreen, Joe and their children loved spending time in Saugerties, NY where they bought a small, summer house in 1965.  Along with some relatives and friends from the city who also bought summer houses around this time, they enjoyed many years of weekend getaways together.  Being a city resident Noreen didn’t need to drive, but she realized that up “in the country” (as we call Saugerties) driving was a necessity. So in her early 50’s though it wasn’t easy, she got her drivers license.   Driving in the country renewed her independent spirit.

Noreen loved children, and becoming a grandmother to Kylie (1997), Kalandra (2002) and Ilona (2005), fulfilled another of her dreams.  She was happiest in her cozy apartment in the Bronx or up in the country with her husband Joe awaiting a visit from her children and grandchildren.

Keeping herself and Joe healthy, practicing yoga, going to Church and being a good friend and neighbor were important to Noreen in her retirement years. Noreen was an independent, dedicated, pleasant, kind and quiet spirit who was also very devout in her Catholic faith which she passed on to her family.  Sadly, in 2011, Joe passed away up in the county.

While life had its challenges, a good pot of tea helped her get through the daily bumps, two aspirins when things slowed her down a bit, and if that didn’t work, a little shot of Bailey’s now and again did the trick.

Noreen was predeceased by her three older siblings, BA, Marion and Andy, all of whom lived into their 90’s in Ireland and England.

Although she battled Alzheimer’s disease in recent years, we are grateful that she remained in her warm, bright apartment as she wished, with loving and dedicated caregivers and family close by until she left us peacefully overnight.  Her gentle and kind nature made a lasting mark on those around her until her final day.  Noreen will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or
The Alzheimer’s Association.

St. Jude

 The Alzheimer’s Association