Nora T. Mulkern

Nora Teresa “Tess” Mulkern left this earthly plane on October 12, 2024. Not one to miss a party, she rang in her 90th birthday with the sweetest smile for her nearest and dearest. Nora was born in Somerville, Massachusetts to a large family from the Killarney area of County Kerry, Ireland. She was working in an accounting office in Boston in the early 60s when she came to the Mount Washington Valley on the ski train with her mates from the city. She stayed at the Oak Lee Ski Lodge in Jackson and there she met a handsome Irish bartender, the owner’s son, Tommy. When he saw her, he went into the kitchen and announced to his sister, “I am in love with Tessie Murphy.” We are not sure if the love-at-first-sight was mutual, but she soon packed up her fancy city clothes and they married and settled in an old farmhouse in Glen, NH. They had four children, Kathleen, Nora, Timothy and Daniel. Tess signed on to a life of working alongside Tom, helping to run the Oak Lee Lodge, later renamed the Shannon Door Pub. Her job description soon changed to bartender, cook, baker, chambermaid, accountant and occasional property manager. She also helped Tom run the Wentworth Golf Club in Jackson for many years. Tess and Tommy always managed to set aside funds and find time for travel with friends and family to exciting, beautiful places including Hong Kong, Thailand, Macau, Brazil, Puerto Rico and throughout Europe. They traveled to Ireland many times and visited family in Rathmore, County Kerry. In Nicaragua, Tess and Tom attended the opening of a charity hospital in the impoverished and war-torn jungle. Tess also coordinated an annual Thanksgiving trip to Bermuda – the largest of which saw 125 friends and family joining for nonstop fun and laughs. Tess was forever the ultimate hostess. She welcomed old friends and made new ones wherever she went. A copy of Emily Post’s etiquette book was always handy in her home. During the holidays, her table was impeccably set and always had an extra place setting for someone who didn’t have their own table to join. She was in her element at any social gathering with her many colorful and vibrant friends. Her language, however, was never colorful, and woe to the soul who chose to use profanity in her presence. In her later years, Tess, as first lady of the Pub, would “hold court” at her favorite table and greet new and old friends with two warm hands and an embrace. Tess was strong-willed and spoke her mind, advocating for and supporting anyone in need. She and Tom started a culinary scholarship fund in memory of Timmy and she helped coordinate an annual gourmet meal prepared by local chefs as a fundraiser. For over 30 years, Tess and Tom had the pleasure of spending the cold months in Naples, Florida. It was there that their social natures flourished, as they entertained in their home amid the palm trees and hibiscus. The greatest joys and sources of pride in Tessie’s life were her children, grandchildren, grand-nephew and niece and her great-grandchildren. Tess is predeceased by her beloved husband of 59 years, Tommy, and her son Timmy. She is survived by her daughter Kathleen and husband Reed Van Rossum, daughter Nora and husband Bob Bean and son Dan and wife Amy Mulkern, her grandchildren Mae and her wife Maddie Van Reis, Liam and his wife Chantal Van Rossum, Finn Van Rossum, Madeline Mulkern, Emily Bean, Eiley Mulkern, great-grandsons Samuel and Simon Van Rossum, sister-in-law Alicia and husband B.J. Hawkes, nephew Brendan and wife Renee Hawkes, and grandnephew and niece Callum and Kathryn Hawkes, nephew Jono and wife Rochelle Mulkern and their children, niece Sandra Lopez and her children, nephew Dan Murphy and his children and niece Diane Sullivan. She is also survived by the many others that she cherished like her own — you know who you are. Calling hours are Sunday, October 20th from 1-4pm at Furber Funeral Home in North Conway and there will be a funeral mass on Monday, October 21st at 11:00am at Our Lady of the Mountains church in North Conway. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice of Carroll County (www.vnhch.org).