Norwood News was informed late on May 31 that Nora Feury, a lifelong Bronx resident who previously served as chair of Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7), and more recently served as CB7 secretary, has died at age 78.

 

Though she remained as a member of the board, in June 2019, then-secretary Feury stepped aside to allow Gloribel Vega to take up the position. “I am dropping my name from the nomination and I’m going to step aside for Gloribel to take over,” said Feury, drawing warm applause from both the board and the crowd.

 

As reported, Feury, dubbed “the legend” by colleagues, was honored in January 2020 on her 75th birthday just before the pandemic really took hold in March 2020, when the Nora Feury Child Development Center was opened in Crotona Park North, the fifth such center in the borough, and part of the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center network. “Nora is a pioneer in Head Start and early childhood education, and we were thrilled to open the center today on her birthday!” officials said at the time. “Happy Birthday Nora… and thank you!”

 

Feury served as the executive director of Little Angels, a daycare provider falling under the Archdiocese of New York. Feury, who grew up in the South Bronx and had an affinity for Crotona Park during her early years, served at the center for 40 years before retiring.

Tributes were being shared on social media among those who knew Feury following her passing on Wednesday night. Marvin Villanueva wrote, “Under your supervision has been an amazing experience. Thank you for your mentorship specially to your guidance and support! Farewell Ms. Nora Feury. You will be missed!”

 

We will update this story with any funeral details, should we receive them.

 

On Thursday, June 1, Bronx Community Board 7 posted the following tribute to Feury on one of their social media accounts, “Our beloved board member, Nora Feury, has passed away. In 2022, Nora Feury received a Citation of Merit from the Bronx Borough President’s Office for her many years of service to Bronx Community Board 7.”

The post also made reference to the Nora Feury Child Development Center. “Our most sincere condolences to Nora Feury’s family from Bronx CB7. Rest in Peace.”

 

Elizabeth Quaranta, executive director of Friends of Mosholu Parkway (FOMP) later wrote, “A sincere ‘friend’ of Mosholu has left us, we just learned. Nora Feury, a community resident and activist, is no longer in our living world. Nora was bold with her advice on our organization and supported FOMP work. Personally, I will miss her and her funny life tips. Keep watching over us, Nora.”

 

 

An obituary was later published on Riverdale-On-Hudson Funeral Home Inc from Jun. 3 to Jun. 4, and can be read in full here, or as follows:

 

“Nora Feury, of Riverdale, New York, passed away on May 29, 2023 at Hebrew Home of Riverdale. Nora, a lifelong resident of the Bronx, was the daughter of the late John and Johanna (Moran) Keogh. She was a parishioner of St. Gabriel Church of Riverdale.

Nora was a woman who was committed to service to others. Working in education for many years as a teacher, a social worker, and an administrator, Nora never fully retired and at the time of her death, was a part time consultant at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center’s early children program.

 

She considered her colleagues to be part of her family and they felt the same way. One colleague stated, “She didn’t just help us with work…she changed the lives of the people she touched. She shared her strengths and wisdom to us.” Nora also served for many years on Community Board #7 in the Bronx as well as various local non-profit organizations.

Nora was predeceased by her brothers John, Joseph, Richard, and Joseph as well as her sisters Sr. Catherine Keogh, smsm, and Margaret. She is survived by her children, Patrick, Maureen and Norman Halvorsen, and Virginia Gagnon as well as her beloved grandchildren Katie, Megan and Michael DePalo.

At her request, Nora Feury’s funeral arrangements were private. She will be interred at Mount St. Mary Cemetery in Emmitsburg, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, c/o Agnes Vendiola, 3450 DeKalb Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467 or to a charity of your choice.