She was a delicate child, and at the age of 5 became ill with T.B. and wasn't expected to live. When she was 6 she was crowned May Queen in St. Mary's Church, Wilton Street, Hull for that very reason. This was young for a May Queen, so it was a lovely gesture. 

Nora didn't start going to school until she was 9, and started taking music lessons at 10 years old.  Her first degree was presented to her when she was 17, and at 19 years of age she received her second degree, from the London College of Music, enabling her to be a fully qualified music teacher.

She married Ernir Bickerstaffe in 1930 at St. Mary's Church where she had been crowned May Queen.   They had 5 children, Ernie junior (deceased), Paddy, Maureen, Sheila and Michael, then became grandparents to 10, and greatgrandparents to 8. Not bad for someone who was not expected to live beyond early childhood!

Nora with her music degree.

Nora died in 1990 at the age of 89 after a long and happy life, loved by everyone who knew her. 

Submitted by Smiler, Location: Hull