Published September 6, 2019
Subscribed to shopping as therapy
NEWBURYPORT — Nora (Quinlan) Waystack, 71, a resident of Newburyport and New Harbor, Maine, passed away after a courageous and inspiring battle with cancer at the Kaplan Family Hospice House on Tuesday, August 27, 2019.
Nora was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on March 16, 1948, one of four children of the late Eleanor (Cuomo) and Farrell Quinlan. Raised in Sunapee, New Hampshire where her parents operated the Indian Cave Lodge, Nora graduated from Sunapee High School and Regis College.
Nora was a magnet in life. She effortlessly gathered people around her with incredible grace, beauty, compassion, approachability, sensitivity, and her great faith in God. Nora provided unconditional, non-judgmental support and friendship to everyone she met. She collected new friends in life everywhere she went. A gracious host, she gracefully hosted friends and family to Newburyport or to New Harbor. Warm, and always positive in the face of enduring challenges, Nora was an inspiration and will remain an inspiration for her family and friends.
Always dressed impeccably, Nora subscribed to shopping as therapy, and her closet was proof. While a fashionista, she always loved a bargain, and delighted in the joy of buying presents for others. Nora and Peter shared wonderful memories that spanned New England and beyond. She enjoyed trips to Italy, Bermuda, and St. Martin, but was happiest at home working on her flowers in Newburyport or Maine. When not gardening, Nora was also a tennis enthusiast. Playing tennis brought comfort, and her tennis friends became a source of strength that grew from weekly tennis matches in New Harbor.
Nora was a devoted parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Newburyport where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. Her Catholic faith was an incredible source of strength and helped push her through multiple cancer challenges. However, it was in these most difficult moments that Nora’s uplifting faith and positive spirit burned brightest.
Nora had a natural glow that drew people to her from every sector of society. She always saw the good in every person she ever came into contact with and went out of her way to brighten the day of everyone she met. She will be deeply and sorely missed, but her story will forever be an inspiration to all who knew her, for as Nora said “the good goes around.”
Nora was the cherished wife of F. Peter Waystack with whom she shared 33 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Paul A. Cavicchio and his wife Craig Anne Lake of Boston, Sarah Jackson and her husband Ryan of North Hampton, N.H., and the late Brian P. Cavicchio and his surviving wife Victoria Theroux of Exeter, N.H. Caring sister of Claire Quinlan of Salem, Ore., Katherine Ward of Andover, N.H., and the late Patrick Quinlan. Loving grandmother of Lila and Dorian.
Family and friends were invited to gather in honor of Nora’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, September 5 and for her funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, 42 Green St., Newburyport celebrated on Friday, September 6 at 10:30 a.m. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Newburyport. Gifts in Nora’s memory may be made to Lahey Clinic, Liver Cancer Research, c/o Dr. Keith Stuart, 41 Mall Rd., Burlington MA 01805. For online tribute or directions visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
