Nora Ellen Tattersall's Obituary
Nora Ellen Pickard Tattersall passed away peacefully Saturday, July 18, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida.
Born March 9, 1933, in LaPorte, Ohio, Nora graduated from Elyria High School in 1951 and later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from Ohio State University. There, she was selected for the Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She began her career creating picture ads for the Cleveland Yellow Pages. She married John Charles William “Bill” Tattersall at age 23, and they shared 65 years of marriage before his passing in 2021. Together, they enjoyed traveling to Europe and the Caribbean, and visiting their children across the country. For 24 years, they owned a beautiful home in North Scottsdale, Arizona where they spent the winters. While in Scottsdale, she painted prolifically, capturing sunsets, cacti, cactus flowers, and other desert scenes. They attended the Congregational Church of the Valley, for whom Nora baked hundreds of cupcakes for the Phoenix Women’s Shelter for many years.
A gifted artist, Nora shared her talents generously for many decades. She designed the first logo for Lake Ridge Academy, and its logo still resembles her original design. She also created the original logo for Elyria Summer Theatre and was often in her basement silk screening her t-shirt designs for cast members and crew. In the early 90’s, she spearheaded a large needlepoint project for First Congregational Church. She designed each pew’s various biblical tableaux and gathered a team of stitchers for what was predicted to be a five-year project. It ultimately was completed in 3.5 years.
Family and friends will always remember her by her interior design, creative casseroles, entertaining, wearing perfectly appointed ensembles, beautiful makeup, and countless needlepoint creations. Her humility, thoughtfulness, generosity, and love for family defined who she was and how she lived her long life.
Nora is survived by children, Charles William Tattersall (Virginia Newman) of Chesteron, IN, Sarah Tattersall of Fort Myers, FL, and John Tattersall (Hillary) of Selbyville, DE; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill in 2021; parents Edward “Pard” and Helen (nee Babson) Pickard, and a sister, Nancy Elton.
Nora lived a blessed and beautiful life and will be greatly missed. Please stop by the Church sanctuary to view her beautiful, artistic legacy.
A service will be Friday, July 31, 2026 at 11:00 am at First Congregational Church, 330 Second St. Elyria. A graveside service at Brookdale Cemetery for immediate family will follow.
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