Gifts of time, talent and treasure: Nora Nolan makes a habit of giving back

The following article is the last of three pieces highlighting the honorees at the Northport Journal’s upcoming Sunset Gala. Joining Nora as “glimmers” are Tiffany Asadourian and Theresa and John Braun.

Philanthropy, in the Greek tradition, means “love of humanity.” Today, philanthropy encompasses generosity in all its forms and is often defined as giving gifts of “time, talent and treasure” to help make life better for other people. Northport Village resident Nora Nolan fits both definitions, using her love of people to guide her very selfless actions. 

Born and raised in Westchester, New York, Nora is often mistaken as a lifetime Northporter – proof that she has become so rooted in the lives of so many people, clubs, and organizations, it’s hard to believe she hasn’t been here all along. What began as a way to get to know her new neighbors and participate in her children’s school activities has turned into over two decades of community involvement via her leadership roles, volunteer work, and philanthropy.

From Cow Harbor Day to St. Baldrick’s to Pridefest, Nora is an uplifting presence as not only a business owner but a supporter, advocate and friend for so many. 

Just the beginning
Nora and Mark Nolan moved to Northport in 1997. College (SUNY New Paltz) sweethearts, the pair lived in New York City while Mark attended funeral directing school. They decided to move to Northport so that Mark could be closer to work at Nolan Funeral Home, his family-owned business. The two found an apartment above Main Street Cafe, where Nora said they developed friendships with other tenants that have lasted to this day.  

Nora acclimated to Northport by simply “living life,” she said. She waitressed at the cafe, worked at a local dental office, and had friends over after work. Her one prerequisite for living here was to be within walking distance to Main Street, which brought her comfort. 

She and Mark eventually moved into the apartment above the funeral home, at the corner of Main Street and Laurel Avenue in Northport Village. Motherhood provided a great incentive to get more involved in the community. Now in a home on Church Street, around the corner from the funeral home, Mark and Nora have raised three girls, Mara, Summer and Ruby, into early adulthood (they’re 24, 22 and 19, respectively). 

Nora’s roles in the community, she said, “just sort of grew as I started getting involved because of my kids, and started meeting different people at different times of day, like at the playground.” As a young mom, Nora served as class parent at Ocean Avenue Elementary School, and volunteered at the Fun Fair, field day and other school events. 

“I think it’s really nice to be involved where you can, and for my kids, it shaped their experience,” she said. “We didn’t have the money to do things, but I could donate my time.”

And that was just the beginning. 

The St. Baldrick’s connection
In college, while interning at a country radio station, Nora took a trip to Memphis, Tennessee where she attended a convention organized by St. Jude called “Country Cares.” She went to several classes on how to use radio to raise funds for the children’s research hospital, and

took thorough notes. Her radio station raised “1,000% more money that year” by just following what she learned at the convention, Nora said.

She also visited St. Jude and was greatly impacted by the experience, which led her to a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser at Napper Tandy’s in Northport in 2004. By 2006, she was shaving her head to raise money for childhood cancer. “I just met so many great people and it was such an empowering thing,” she said. A few years later, Nora’s mother and her oldest daughter Mara shaved their heads together. Today, Nora serves as the Northport committee chairperson for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and she’s the Northport-East Northport school district liaison.

I do that… 
The magnitude of Nora’s involvement in the community was evidenced quite recently when, at a Northport Pridefest committee meeting (she’s a founding organizer of the now annual event), leadership attempted to delegate tasks to committee members. 

“We should get someone at the historical society,” a member said.
“I sit on the board,” Nora said. 
“We should get the library involved,” someone suggested.
“I work there,” Nora responded. 
“What about getting vendors in the park?” they asked. 
“I do that for Cow Harbor Day,” Nora said. 

Nora is, as many of her friends say, everywhere. 

The scope of her work and volunteerism has grown over the years, one event or organization at a time. Each new involvement is sparked by another connection in the community. 

In 2007, Nora started working at the library, part-time while the girls were younger, and now full-time as an adult and teen reference librarian who also manages many community outreach events. “I love helping people and I think some of what’s wonderful about working there is that I’ve been able to, in a way, shape it into what the community wants and what the community needs,” she said.  

She got involved with Cow Harbor Day weekend because Chairmen Ken Savin’s kids used to babysit Nora’s daughters. “I thought, I can do that. I can make a spreadsheet on my computer, I can help at night,” she said. And she did. Today, she’s on the Cow Harbor Day Committee and is responsible for vendor relations. 

Nora’s also a third-generation member of the Northport Yacht Club, with her husband Mark.  The two co-chaired the club’s swim team for their girls when they were younger; from there, they began volunteering with the Northport Lacrosse Club. Over a ten-year period, Nora coached, ultimately becoming the girls director for the club. She had no experience playing lacrosse, but felt it was an opportunity to create a positive sports experience for her girls.

Being on the Pridefest committee, she said, just “fell into place.” Nora is part of the “Core Four,” which includes herself along with Joe Schramm, Meghan Dolan and Jack Ebert. “I realize I have a lot of people in my life now that are part of the LGBT community,” she said, adding that the committee has provided her with yet another group of friends and connections, and she has grown so much from the experience. 

Most recently, Nora has become involved with service dogs through America’s VetDogs by sponsoring and naming a puppy (it will be named after Mark’s father, Jim Jr.). She has become more aware and supportive of veterans’ needs, she said, and now sits on the Town of Huntington Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee for information, resources and events. 

Owning the funeral home
Established in 1948, Nolan Funeral Home was founded by Mark’s grandfather, Jimmy Nolan. Mark’s father and uncle became the next generation of owners, and Mark is now the third-generation owner, after purchasing the business from his uncle, former Northport Village mayor Peter Nolan (an office he held for 20 years), in June 2018.

“I can’t believe how different life is when owning a business. You’re putting this idea you had forward, and you’re doing it,” she said. “It’s a lot.”

Nora’s background is in communications and promotions, strengths she continues to bring to the funeral home. She understands the benefits of supporting community organizations and initiatives, not only from a business perspective, but also because it builds a sense of place.

She considers herself, with her marketing savvy, an idea generator for the family business. She has incorporated small community-minded elements into the funeral home’s space, including free little libraries and works by local artists, such as Mark’s mother, Pamela Long Nolan, a prolific and well-known artist whose studio was on Scudder Avenue for many years. Little touches, personalized and representing the community both inside and just outside the Nolan doors, bring a hospitable warmth to the space. 

“I like to say it’s more home than funeral,” Nora said.

The Nolans consider their employees a part of their family and understand they run a business that people rely on. “We want a place where people are proud to walk into,” Nora said. 

A fateful encounter? 
When speaking with the Journal at the Northport Yacht Club, just prior to a spontaneous invite to a sunset cruise on her and her husband’s boat, Nora relayed a story that may place her in Northport Village years before she moved here. 

The story involves Nora’s childhood memory of visiting a small harborfront town over Memorial Day weekend with her neighbors. “We went fishing, we jumped in the harbor, ate at this great seafood restaurant, and we went to the movies for $2,” she recalled. “There was a Chinese restaurant where we got rice paper and put it on our tongues.” She also played frisbee in the park. “Fast forward eight years later, I’m walking with Mark on the Village dock when I turn to look at Main Street and say, ‘I’ve been here before.’” 

When she told Mark about her memories from that Memorial Day weekend, they agreed that she had indeed been in Northport. Nora’s also convinced that the boy she played frisbee with was Mark (his mom’s studio was closeby). Nora relays the story again, this time from the boat, a hopeful optimism in her voice. Mark listens and, though he seems more hesitant to believe the fateful encounter occurred, he humors the story for Nora.

“Keeps me going”
Reflecting on her decades of living, raising a family and becoming a business owner in Northport, Nora can’t believe where the time went. 

“I never thought I’d be 51 years old,” she giggled, remaining grateful for the time she’s spent in Northport and the people she’s met along the way. “The people are the best thing here,” she said.

“Sometimes I feel spread too thin, and I get overwhelmed,” she said. “But I feel that the people I've made connections with through various causes, along with my desire to continue learning about the world, keeps me going.” Most of all, Nora said, she wants to be an example to her children – even though they are grown now, she still strives to make them proud of the person she is, and has become.