Noel went down a water slide exactly once in her life. She closed her eyes, went down and then swore she would never do it again – and she never did. This, however, was the exception. Noel took the rest of her life head on, eyes wide open, even if at times those wonderful blue Nebraska eyes were startled by what she saw.
She grew up in the Midwest and was at home with the simplicity of its ways and people. She spent seventeen years as a nun and deeply loved the Sisters of Charity but resolved to do something else when she found someone else she deeply loved.
Married life was an adjustment. She grew up one of three girls before living with nuns. Then all of a sudden she was married and ten months later gave birth to a son and found herself living with two men; which later grew to three. She had to deal with many new things in married life, but she met them all head on, eyes open, touching family and others along the way.
She was a teacher at heart who cared deeply about both what she taught and her students. She was demanding, wanting them to experience the feeling and joy of actually learning. She was also fair, and she truly cared.
The cancer came as a shock. Early treatment results were promising but the cancer never relented. Still, she thought there was time to assess next steps when the bottom dropped out in July and things started to cascade and fall in. To the end, though, her eyes remained wide open, her gaze unflinching, her caring for others undiminished.
We miss her immensely, but we know that those wonderful eyes will continue to hold us in her gaze and her love, and that must be our solace.
Noel’s first thought would be to thank all those who let her lean on them, especially in the cancer years. Thank you all.
Love,
Clark
noelstanton 
Those of us who were privileged to know will never forget her.
Noel was one in a million, and if anyone knows how to do the process, she should be canonized. Never saw her sad, unhappy, never heard a negative comment from her and she was always so just plain excited about life! Clark, you are one of the luckiest people anywhere. It will be a long time before my mind can stop thinking of her. God be with you and her boys.
Thank you for sharing.
I feel sad to read “Last Word”. I have been hanging onto Ann’s words and then yours for so long. I would like to thank you both for sharing your stories, thoughts, and feelings. Noel was such a perfect name for Ann. I don’t think I ever met anyone like her and I don’t think ever will. She was genuine and filled with enthusiasm even as a young girl. She was integrity, kindness, and joy all in one and made a difference to so many. Though the cancer was relentless, it could never touch her spirit – no chance there. May that very spirit of Noel’s continue to fill you with love and peace. My prayers for you, Luke, and John, and for my cousins, Sarah and Ellen.
Dear Clark, I worked with Noel at Salesian and am pretty sure you and I never met, or if so, briefly. Thank you for this last post. You have been blessed and I wish you and your sons all the best.
Janet O’Hair
I think of her everyday. She was extremely special and will be missed by all. Thank you for this last post, Clark. I’m sending you and the boys prayers and much love.
Dear Clark and Family,
The Spirit led me to google dear Noel’s name and I just discovered what has happened…I share your broken hearts…and pray that her new presence among you will bring you the comfort and consolation only God can give…Noel and I shared many heart to heart conversations during our studies at USF. Our last meeting was a contemplation of her experience of bringing forth your first son…I asked her if anyone ever told her that giving birth might be quite painful. She said, “No.” So I didn’t have the heart to inform her of labor pains and the like and chose to let her rest in the awe and wonder that she was bringing a beautiful child into this world.
Oh my…how far her nearness reaches…She, like Jesus, was able to share her spirit with so many people…and yet, her heart rested in you, the love of her life…Being in her presence was simply awesome and inspiring…She rested in you and was restored and recreated by you…receiving so much of your tender lovingkindness, she was able to permeate our whole world with love and blessing..She’s continuing to do this with special favor to your dear children who must be devastated along with you and, at the same time, offering prayers of thanksgiving that she is their beloved mother for all time…because of you…