Norah Humphreys was a nurse and nurses tutor prior to her writing career that she launched after her retirement
Tributes have been paid to Lisburn Author Norah Humphreys who has been described as an “amazing and inspirational woman” who lived an “incredible life”.
Norah Humphreys/McMullan passed away peacefully in hospital at 90 years old earlier this month and will be dearly missed by her husband Ian and their entire family circle.
Originally from Banbridge, she worked as a nurse in the health service before becoming a nurse’s tutor where she taught pioneering AIDS and HIV awareness training. During this time, she and her husband opened Lisburn’s first ever Bed & Breakfast, the Overdale Motel, which continues to be run by the family.
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After her retirement from the health service aged 69, Norah embarked on a new chapter in her life as an author writing five books based on true events in Northern Ireland where she highlighted some challenging issues such as forced adoptions.
Her most recent book, published when she was 89 called ‘We’ve been Kidnapped haven’t we?’ told the story of five children who were forcibly adopted from a Lisburn care home to Australia, with Norah saying her interest in the topic was inspired by a man that she met as a guest in her B&B who had been adopted from Northern Ireland.
Norah’s granddaughter, Emma McMullan paid tribute to her “inspirational” grandmother who she says lived an incredible and interesting life where she did and experienced so many amazing things.
Emma said: “Growing up she was always such an inspiration to us all and I always loved hearing about the amazing things that she did in her life. From going to a nurse to a nurse’s tutor who specialised in AIDS training, to opening Lisburn’s first B&B during the Troubles and becoming an author later in life, everything that she did was incredible.
“She was always very well dressed and loved family get-togethers and parties at her home, then as she began writing her books the parties moved out of her home and she was attending book launches and signings all over Northern Ireland.
“She was just such an inspirational person and I know that she has touched the lives of everyone who she has met over the years and will be deeply missed by our family and all who knew her.”
Emma has said that they are hoping to have some of Norah’s books turned into film productions in the coming years in order to keep her legacy alive and are appealing for anyone interested to contact them.
Emma continued: “It was always her dream to have one of her books turned into a film and that is something that our family is exploring at the moment in order to keep her legacy alive.
“If there is anyone out there who would be interested in using her work for a movie project, please get in touch and we would be very keen to work with you.”
Norah’s funeral is set to take place in Seymour Street Methodist Church, Lisburn on Wednesday, October 22 at 12.30pm.
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