Open my Eyes Lord, I want to see your face,

Open my Eyes Lord...I want to see.

Noralee Driscoll, 92 years young, walked into the loving arms of Jesus and had her eyesight restored on November 6, 2022. She reunited with her husband, Bill, and son, Pat, in Heaven, surrounded by those she loved the most.

Noralee was born in Butte on August 3, 1930 to Wally and Hazel Sullivan. The middle of three girls, she was raised on the West Side of Butte, attended Immaculate Conception Grade School, and graduated from Girls Central High School, in 1948.

Noralee married Bill Driscoll on June 24, 1950 at the Immaculate Conception Church. Noralee and Bill raised their eight children in the Drives, in a house that would see them through both hardships and celebrations. Their home became one filled with music, food, and conversation. Family often gathered on the front or back porch to visit, with the melody of windchimes in the background and her beloved Our Lady of the Rockies watching from above.

Family was extremely important to Noralee. Summers consisted of vacations at Pipestone Hot Springs, camping trips to Canyon Ferry and Seeley Lake, and evenings of baseball games at Father Sheehan Park. While times were sometimes tough, family mealtime was a priority (lefties on one side of the table and righties on the other). Sunday family dinners were of utmost importance, and her family looked forward to her homemade pasties. She loved inviting family to help her bake them, reminding those assisting in the kitchen to not "overwork the dough." She always had a supply of spearmint mints, butterscotch or other favorite candy available for guests to snack on and her grandchildren knew their favorite cereal would be waiting in the cupboard when they arrived to visit. No one entered Nor's house without hearing, "What can I get you?" No one left hungry, and without food for the road.

When her children were young, Noralee was a homemaker, a role that she not only loved but cherished. In later years, she worked at Hennessy's Department Store and in the Silver Bow County Assessor's Office where she enjoyed completing puzzles with her coworkers in the breakroom and joining Bill for lunch. Noralee and Bill liked traveling and had a special place in their heart for Ireland.  For 59 years, himself and herself made a great team, and their legacy and love for all things Irish lives on through their children and grandchildren.

Noralee was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Ann's Choir for over twenty-five years. She was a prayer warrior and had a hotline to St. Jude when anything seemed impossible or lost. She had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and prayed the Rosary on a daily basis. During her final week on this earth, her family gathered around her bed nightly to pray the Rosary, and while she appeared to be sleeping, we are quite sure that this time of unity and prayer by those she loved so deeply, both calmed and comforted her.

Noralee developed macular degeneration in the early 1980's. Despite her failing eyesight, she remained active and never once complained about her limitations. She always saw the goodness and genuineness in others, recognizing the beauty of nature and appreciating the world around her. She loved when people came up to say hi and introduce themselves when she didn't immediately recognize them. For over thirty years, she continued cooking, walking, and traveling to see family, choosing to focus on all she could see rather than what she couldn't.

Leaving her family home and moving into assisted living was difficult for Noralee, yet she enthusiastically participated in all activities and enjoyed the friendships she made over card bingo and wine nights. No matter the circumstances, she often commented, "it's always something," or "that makes a difference." Her mantra was "move it or lose it" and her persevering spirit and positive attitude were an inspiration.

Noralee deeply loved her children and grandchildren. She was their cheerleader, role model for serving others, prayer warrior in times of need, and at 91 years of age, their Homecoming Queen. She looked forward to going for drives and stopping for ice cream. She listened to audio books and enjoyed visiting the Columbia Gardens Carousel to see Bill's horse "Babe".  She loved talking on the phone and never ended a call before saying, "love you." Noralee lived a life of service, and she was happiest when she was assisting others. She was not only the family matriarch, but a role model to her children and grandchildren in loving and caring for one another.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; son, Pat "Chops" Driscoll; parents, Wally and Hazel Sullivan; father and mother-in-law, John "Butter" and Ethel Driscoll; sister and brother-in-law, Gerry and Walter Sullivan; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Lorraine Driscoll, brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Mary Driscoll; brother-in-law, Dan Driscoll.

Noralee is survived by her children Terry (Mary Anne) Driscoll of Great Falls, Montana; Colleen (John) Kaluzny of Yakima, Washington; Shaun Driscoll of Gresham, Oregon; Kevin (Amy) Driscoll of Spokane, Washington; Dennis (Mikeleen) Driscoll of Butte; Noreen "Clancy" (Dave) O'Rourke of Georgetown Lake, Montana; Brian Driscoll of Butte; daughter-in-law Karen Driscoll of Butte. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren, sister Georgeann Mauney and her devoted niece, Sharlene Gibson, both of Spokane, Washington; sister-in-law, Jan Driscoll of Hamilton, Montana, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Driscoll family would like to thank the Life Enrichment "Dream Team" at The Springs of Butte (Tonya, Andrew and Bayley), Compassionate Heart Home Services (Shawna and Bri) and the extraordinary staff at Senior Solutions Hospice (Paula, Jordan, Deacon Dan and Jackie). Thank you all for your compassion, love, and care.

Family gatherings brought Noralee great joy and yet she worried when people traveled from a distance, during winter conditions. A Vigil and Funeral Mass will be celebrated in May. We invite you to join us then as we honor a life well lived and loved.

Memorials can be made to The Senior Solutions Grace Fund Memorial Foundation or the Spirit of Columbia Gardens Carousel.

So, I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back we'll say Hallelujah
You're home

~Ed Sheeran "Supermarket Flowers"