Nora Lee Cole

August 5, 1948 – August 28, 2023

Nora Cole, age 75, passed away peacefully at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido on August 28, 2023. She is survived by her beloved husband, Barry Cole, at home.

Nora leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories, and will be deeply missed by her many friends and family.

Nora Lee Lynch was born in Detroit, Michigan, the oldest child of Ben Dale Lynch (1925-1986) and Betty Jean Snyder (1929-2022). She had two brothers, Dennis and Keith, who preceded her in death in 2017, and several other brothers and sisters. Nora spent her earliest years in Michigan and then the family moved to the San Francisco and Oakland areas of Northern California, where she completed high school away from her family.

She went to colleges and universities in the San Francisco, Honolulu, and San Diego areas, ultimately earning a nursing degree, which she used only briefly. She was in her early twenties when she moved to Pacific Beach, where she ventured into real estate investments with her friend Tom Curran and took a job with State Farm Insurance. She loved her job, ultimately becoming a respected State Farm Insurance Broker/Agent. She ran her own State Farm Agency for the better part of 38 years. She retired in 2016.

Nora had a circle of friends she called her “YaYa friends,” who got together for the decades almost up until she met Barry. Her favorite YaYa was actually her little dog Bags, who was present at every YaYa get-together for about 15 years. When she lost Bags, Nora said she lost her best friend. When she found Barry, she said she loved him even more than she loved Bags, and that was saying something!

Nora loved to give gifts, and her many friends were showered with thoughtful gifts to show how much she cherished them. Nora specifically designed and built a beautiful ranch-style home in Valley Center, a northeastern suburb of San Diego, so her girlfriends could stay over and enjoy quality time together.

In the late 1990s, Nora joined the North Island Ski Club in San Diego and quickly earned a reputation as a great party planner. It was through the ski club that Nora met Barry, who would become the love of her life. They shared an inseparable bond and were married on December 4, 2004, exchanging vows in the backyard of their home in Valley Center. The ski club was the core of their social lives, and they created cherished memories together with their many club friends. Nora hosted several club parties and was a key planner for pretty much every party the club held from the mid-nineties until recently. Her parties and decorations are legendary.

Nora loved traveling and creating unforgettable memories with both long-time and just-met friends both away and at home. She enjoyed a good glass of white wine while reading a novel or browsing through her many mail-order catalogs and food magazines. She enjoyed it even more while playing cribbage or cards with friends. She was very competitive and loved to win, enjoying every game regardless. She would gracefully accept a loss (if or when she lost), and always promised to win next time.

Nora was a “foodie fan” of the many cooking shows on TV. She would tear out and save hundreds of recipes from her food magazines, which got read cover to cover. She was always an exceptional and avid cook and baker. Her passion for the holidays kept her busy all year around, shopping, designing, creating, and making wonderful gifts, gift baskets, and decorations to share. She loved to decorate, especially for all the holidays, and her decorations (and parties) are legendary.

Nora was a “sports fan” at the highest level. Barry was a significant and passionate fan of the Ohio State University Buckeyes, which Nora adopted as her college sports alma mater. She and Barry loved watching every game together, rain or shine, win or lose. Nora was also passionate about the San Diego Padres and the San Diego Chargers, and was a season ticket holder for both teams for many years.

Nora's adventurous spirit led her to explore the world through travel, creating unforgettable memories with both long-time friends and newfound companions. She also enjoyed spending time at casinos, relishing the thrill of games and the company of friends.

Although Nora didn't have children of her own, she wholeheartedly embraced her role as an aunt to her nieces and nephews, as well as accepting Barry's extended family and grandchildren as her own. Jason Alan Cole, his wife, their son Steven, and daughter Charley held a special place in Nora's heart.

Nora Lee Cole will forever be remembered for her vibrant personality, unwavering love, and zest for life. Her absence leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew her, but her spirit will continue to inspire and uplift us. May her soul find eternal peace, and may her memory be a blessing to us all.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Nora's honor to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or one of the numerous Indian Childrens’ Foundations.

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