Obituary of Lenora A Milligan

Lenora “Ann” Holmes Milligan was born in Camden, NJ, on September 27, 1953 to the late Elizabeth and John Holmes. As family and friends witnessed her resilience to live in her 4 year testimony of passion and courage, on February 1, 2021, Lenora was graciously accepted into God’s loving arms. She was educated in the Camden City School system, graduating as a proud “Tiger” from Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1973. Nora was a lifelong member of St. John Baptist Church, where she accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized with some of her “Eastside childhood friends”. Lenora proudly served as a Jr. Usher and sung on the church choir. Lenora was affectionately known by many as “Nora”, but she too was a woman with many names such as: Dee Dee, Bibbles, Nor, Thee Aunt, Aunt Nora, Ms. Nora, Sister, Friend, Mentor, and her two most treasured names Mom and Mom Mom. After living in High Nella for a brief period of time, Nora returned to Camden where her heart was. She was a lifelong resident of the city, spending most of her life living in the “Eastside” section of Camden; in her childhood home. Nora was a strong independent woman who never took life for granted. When you thought of Nora, one can only be filled with joy. Nora was filled with so much love, gentleness, and strength that she chose to share with everyone throughout her life and their encounters. Nora had a heart of gold and a smile to match it. She had a heart for community with a desire to give back and save anyone willing to be saved. Nora dedicated 28 years of service, retiring from the Camden City Board of Education in June of 2018 after teaching Kindergarten and Preschool. She loved all of her students but teaching Kindergarten was her most favorite. Nora worked at Washington Elementary School and later at Veterans Memorial School (Vets) supporting her students, the community, and also the many coworkers who became friends and family. You would think working in the school was enough to occupy her time, however Nora was never one to sit around. For over 35 years, Nora worked as an Advocate Social Worker for the Youth Advocate Program (YAP) servicing kids in need of time, skills, entertainment and most of all Love. In accompany of these two rewarding jobs, Nora chose to become a foster parent for over 20 years, building lifetime bonds with many of those who passed through her home. Nora was known for owning unique vehicles too. Whether it was her famous station wagon or the many vans she drove, she would load up children in her van, take them swimming, to the movies, skating, to paint ceramics, to the park, or out to eat. In fact, Nora loved bringing children into her home and showing them a better way of life, she changed many souls while on earth. The doors at 2918 Mitchell Street were always open to anyone who needed a place to stay. Many family and friends stayed at Mitchell Street until they got back on their feet, never turning anyone away no matter how long or short their stay was. Nora was active in the “Mitchell Street Neighborhood Watch Team,” any sound or unknown visitor never went unnoticed between the Primas, Swinson, Holmes/Milligan household. Community and Community Service was something instilled in her and something she made sure to pass on to her family. Nora enjoyed running the food pantry at her school and in the neighborhood, the Kidzpack program (weekend meals for families), Soup for the Soul annually on MLK Day, neighborhood clean ups, feeding the homeless, amongst many other things. Nora loved life no matter how good or bad things were going she always had a smile and continued to fight. Although she was a gentle spirit by nature, she was also a feisty and strong woman, if the time arose; she would fight for what she believed in. All those qualities she instilled in her most treasured accomplishments, being a Mom and a Mom Mom. Nora was blessed with three daughters Falynn, Kylene (Nee Nee), and Chaquara (Sha-Sha) whom she would do anything for. Her bond with her daughters could never be broken. There was never a day that went by where she did not speak to them on the phone or see them in person. Nora was so proud of her daughters and the women they have become. She raised strong women to believe there were no limits and was delighted when her daughters and son in love William opened their own Medical transport business, earned their degrees, and followed their dreams. Nora would glow with pride when she talked about all of their accomplishments and the many more to come. Over the past twenty-one year’s Nora has played Mom Mom too many of her daughters friend’s children, treating them no different than her own. However, she was so happy when she officially became a Mom Mom 12 years ago; she said it was the best feeling in the world. Being a mother was an honor for Nora and being a Mom Mom was the icing on her glory. Her granddaughters Saije (Pooh), Saani (Peanut), and Kadence (Twinkle) could do no wrong; they were the highlight of her life. Her grandchildren loved spending the night at her house. They enjoyed waking up to the smell of her breakfast of bacon, eggs, and home fries, to doing an arts and craft project, walking the dog, giggling with each other, or most of all just curling up in bed with Mom Mom. Mom Mom was a badge she wore so proudly. Throughout her life Nora left no stone unturned, she enjoyed traveling with her family and friends. Nora had the opportunity to see the world, whether it was one of her favorite trips to Virginia, or a flight or a cruise to the many Caribbean islands; Nora enjoyed life. In December 2019 Nora went on her first cruise to the Bahamas and she enjoyed relaxing in her room, eating room service, lobster for dinner every night, but most of all spending time with her family and friends. Family meant everything to Nora, she enjoyed any chance to be around them even if it was early in the morning. Every Sunday morning, Nora would make extra breakfast for Sunday church service visitors like her brother Butch, faithful cousin Big Natalie, and her grandson in love Jahiad who would stop by. Her smile and welcoming attitude was felt by everyone who knew her. Nora had few vices, but those that made her day even better were making a 7 eleven slurpie run after a long day at work, taking a late night swim in her pool just before bed during the hot summer months, eating a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup (a love her and her daughter Kylene shared), a trip to Friendly’s, or the movies. Nora was a movie buff, she loved to visit the movie theater every week in tote with her own snacks and enjoyed eating “Reese’s Peanut Butter sundaes from Friendly’s. No matter where she traveled to she always found a Friendly’s ice cream store to visit. Nora was an easy going and caring person, the person you went to with all your problems no matter how big or small, how bad or good, Nora never judged nor turned anyone away. She was a peacemaker and problem solver. In 2018 Nora was diagnosed with lung cancer and she never stopped to complain, she lived even more with a greater passion and purpose. Nora fought from the moment she was diagnosed tackling the treatment like a warrior never letting the disease slow her down. After beating lung cancer a year later she was diagnosed with two brain tumors. Again never missing a beat Nora fought through her brain surgery, coming out of an intensive rehab treatment walking and talking and continuing to fight and beating both tumors with grace. In 2020, Nora was diagnosed with liver cancer and chose to continue fighting like the strong woman she has always been to the end. Nora never gave up, never stopped fighting, and never stopped smiling to the end. God places angels on this earth to complete tasks and leave memorable marks along the way through kindness, love, and a beautiful soul. Nora was an angel on earth and now eternally, Nora has completed her tasks asked upon her by God and he has gifted her Eternal Life. Nora leaves to honor and treasure her memories her daughters Falynn, Kylene (William), and Chaquara; granddaughters Saije, Saani, and Kadence; brother Charles (Butch) Holmes. Nora was preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth and John Holmes, Brothers James, John, Zoley, Gilbert (Jean), and Nathaniel Holmes., sisters Eva, Ada, Jean -Carol and Gladys (Andrew). Nora also leaves to treasure her memories and love, her best friend of over 50 years Desiree Mitchell El and family., her God son Theodore “Mannie” Mitchell, God Daughter Romena “Annie” Fitzgerald, sister in laws Verelese Holmes and Sandra Moore., and a host of nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews, cousins, daughters in love who she cared for, coworkers and friends whom she called family. Sorrowfully Submitted, The Family.