Gracious Flor will be sadly missed

As messages of condolence were descending on the Noonan family home in Limerick yesterday, the parish of St Paul in the suburb of Dooradoyle was rekindling memories of a cherished neighbour and gracious, elegant woman.

For most of the 43 years they were married, Michael and Flor Noonan lived in a modest semi in the Gouldavoher estate.

Flor was a Knightley from Castlemaine, Co Kerry, and it was easy to see how the Limerick man was smitten by her beauty when they first met in Dublin as they trained as teachers.