Nora (Honora) Krisztina Pokorny Jacob Carlsen Obituary (1925 - 2015)

Nora (Honora) Krisztina Pokorny Carlsen, 90, died Saturday, July 4, 2015, at Springbrook Center, Westbrook. Nora was born to Dr. Istvan Pokorny and Illona Kerezsy on January 13, 1925, in Budapest, Hungary where she lived until 1956. At the age of 31 she courageously left war-ravaged communist Hungary to immigrate to Illinois to raise her children in a country filled with freedom and opportunity. She was educated at Patrona Hungarie as a history major and a Red Cross Nurse. At the University of Poazmany Peter, she studied pre-medicine for two years. She married Laszlo Jakab (Jacob) and bore three children prior to leaving Hungary. Once in America, she settled in the Chicago metro area, had two more children and became a registered nurse. As an RN, she worked in a cardiac step-down unit and enjoyed a robust life with her second husband, Haldor Carlsen. In addition to travel, Nora loved to engage in historical conversation and debate. The Bible was one of her favorite historical tomes to discuss. Nora had a strong faith and was a practicing Roman Catholic her entire life, most recently at St. Michaels Parish in Augusta. Nora has been a resident of Augusta since 2002, where the natural beauty of the state brought her joy each day. Nora is survived by her five children: Kristina Mace (Joe) of Colorado, Agnes Fry (Mike) of Hawaii, Nora Streiffer of Oregon, Martha Vrana-Bossart (Jan) of Portland, and Andrew Jacob (Anne) of Colorado. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Visiting Hours will be held at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2Pm at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. To view Noras memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ctcrawford.com.