Sunday was Noel’s 72nd birthday. She got an early start on the celebration by sitting up with the family (our two boys and her two sisters) for dinner Saturday night, which she hasn’t done for a while. She even ate a shrimp – one of her favorite foods. Probably due to the exertion of that evening Sunday itself was a slow day, but she did see two of her former tennis partners and Clark’s cousin Steve Locke (who also is Luke’s godfather). She rallied a bit in the evening for some cards, gifts, a bit of ice cream with her Orgain (an organic form of Ensure), and to hear some bad voices sing Happy Birthday. Monday saw a visit by the hospice nurse and by two old friends, Jack and Kathy Berkemeyer, who go back 40+ years to when they were together in the summer theology master’s program at the University of San Francisco. Jack, who at the time was a priest, recounted meeting Noel in the registration line. Noel then told a story back on Jack, and how she first knew he was a priest, when he became frustrated with the registration process and bellowed to the assembled, “Does anyone know what the f*ck is going on here?” She had a smile of great amusement when she told the story, and Jack left with a new story he hadn’t heard before. Overnight and this morning find her sleepier and weaker, perhaps due to a tiny bit of morphine she took last night to deal with some pain that popped up (and has been resolved). We’re in constant contact with hospice, and a nurse came by this morning to see her and go over the medications. She’s now back asleep on top of her new eggshell mattress topper. Please keep her in your prayers.
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noelstanton 
Happy birthday, Annie! Remember, age is only a number!! Prayers as always.. š
Happy Birthday, Noel! Sounds like you managed to enjoy yourself with family and friends. Good for you…
As always my thoughts & prayers are with you-daily! xxoo
Thank you so very much for the updates on Noel. Noel and all the family are included in my prayers.
Sammy
Happy Birthday, Noel, from the entire Salesian faculty and staff. You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for the beautiful post.
Happy belated birthday Noel, hugs and prayers!
So thrilled to hear Noel had such a happy birthday celebration! She is constantly in our prayers.
Nancy
Loved your post. Now I have Ann’s smile in my head. Please tell her that Bill Schock sends his love. I was telling him how the Nusbaums kept the tennis rackets behind the door in Leo’s office , and we were warned not to touch a thing when we went in there to retrieve them. Imagine putting out a newspaper without today’s technology! Bill told me that Leo was one of the best in the business. And then he added, “He was a tough taskmaster, too.” Bill is in his 90’s and hasn’t forgotten a thing.
Happy birthday, Noel. You’re all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love and prayers coming your way…
Jane
Happy B-day Noel!
Sounds like you had a real party…Yeah!
Hugs- Jamie
Happy Birthday, Noel. …Thanks for keeping us up to date with the blogs
Love that story about Kathy (a former colleague) and Jack. Especially Noel’s punchline! Warmest regards to them both, but especially to you, Noel, on your birthday, and to Clark and the boys. Sending prayers on your behalf, as well. As they are not as frequently offered as they probably should be, they may attract some attention…Doubt you’ll need them, old friend.
Noel, It was so nice to hear about your Birthday! Sounds like you had a special day! I am thinking of you and you continue to be in my prayers. Happy 72nd Birthday! Love you!
I appreciated hearing that story from your student days, glad to hear so many people are dropping by. Thinking of you Noel!
Since we’re talking about meeting Noel….. I first met Noel in August 1969, on a road trip / hike into the Pintler Wilderness in Montana along with other members of the incoming senior class of Butte Central High School. Lee Ann Shea was there, Una Sullivan, me — and Robin Evans. Our chauffeur / guide was Father Murray, who believed that the way to handle the high spirits and explosive energies of teenagers was to take them out into the woods and tromp and trek them into the ground. Which probably says something about Noel’s own high energies. I remember we were jouncing over the rocky road in Father’s four-wheeler, and Noel and Robin — who had just met — were jabbering away a mile a minute, sinking low and bounding high, their heads brushing the roof of the vehicle — AND NOT MISSING A SYLLABLE!
Noel, it sounds like you have a lot of fight and a lot of fun in you. I can’t imagine your saying f**k out loud. Take good care my friend. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Several friends of mine who have experienced cancer are praying for you too.
Judy
A late Happy Birthday Noel. Happy that you are spending your days with your wonderful family and friends. I pray daily for your comfort and progress. I spent last Sunday with the Tomsziks. Sandy is not doing well with her memory loss. She now needs constant care. My prayers are daily for you two wonderful ladies.
God Bless
Congrauations on your birthday. Hard to believe you could ever be 72. Your spirit is so young. Our prayers. Viki and Anna
Clark, thanks for posting these as I think of her daily.
Belated Happy Birthday Noel.
Prayers continue to flow your way from Minnesota.
Birthday wishes of many, many beautiful times with your family and dear friends.
Thanks for the updates. It is nice to hear she got to enjoy a few bites on her birthday. Love and prayers.
Pam
Wishing you many more of these good times and good days with all the folks who love you.
Happy birthday Annie/Noel! Know that so many are thinking of you and praying for you. God bless.
Thinking and remembering happy times in Padadena..praying each day with our holy family community love to you Noel Brian and Judy
Happy Birthday Noel! Much love coming your way!
Happy Birthday Noel,
There are lots of prayers and loving thoughts crossing the bay from Oakland to San Rafael these days.
I think of you and Clark so often. I am so glad you are knowing just how loved you are. Mary True