Mary Ann Noel

1943 - 2018

Mary Ann Noel
April 19, 1943 to July 24, 2018

Mary Ann Noel passed away July 24, 2018 in Bakersfield, California after a 20-month illness. She was born in Portland, Oregon the daughter of Vincent and Freda Jacobberger. She graduated from the University of Portland with a degree in Education, and while there she also was on the U of P tennis team. She met her husband of 50 years, Richard Noel, when he was teaching tennis at the new Portland Tennis Center in a brief summer interlude before entering a Ph.D. program in Boulder, Colorado. After only two months together, followed by frequent calls and letters, they married in June less than a year after meeting. Mary joined Richard in Boulder where she taught 3rd grade and gave birth to son Michael. In 1971 they moved to Bakersfield, California, sight-unseen, where Richard joined the faculty at the new state college. That same year son Stephen was born. Mary enjoyed teaching for more than 25 years with the Panama School District where she taught 3rd grade at Seibert and Sing Lum schools. In retirement she joined a group of dedicated volunteers at the Southwest Branch Library where she could be found many hours a week helping organize the library book sales.

The family all shared a love of tennis, with Mary, her husband, and both sons having played on Division 1 college teams. Until her illness in 2016 Mary still played multiple times a week with her many tennis friends. Mary was perhaps most proud of winning the Kern County Open Mixed Doubles title with Richard in 1975, and the National Equitable Mother-Son championship played during the U.S. Open in New York in 1986, with son Michael. Many an unsuspecting male became a victim of her left-handed prowess in tennis and ping pong. She also was an avid competitor in bocce ball, golf, darts, cards, and various board games. She relaxed by sewing, crocheting, reading, and spending time with her family.

Mary was thoughtful, compassionate, loving--a loyal mother, grandmother, sister, and wife. She was a lifelong Catholic and her faith was an essential part of her existence. She was happiest spending time with her family.

Mary is survived by her husband Richard, her sons Michael (Brenda) of Bakersfield, Stephen (Clarissa) of Los Gatos, her grandchildren Timothy, Matthew, Landon, Elijah, Evan, and her beloved brother Joseph Jacobberger (Shelley) of Scottsdale, Arizona.

The family expresses utmost appreciation to the amazing friends and neighbors who offered support and assistance, including our Brighton Parks neighbors, Friends of the Southwest Library, and the Bakersfield tennis & pickleball communities.

Memorial Mass will be Wednesday, August 1, at 10 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you donate to your favorite charity.

DOUGHTY-CALHOUN-O'MEARA FUNERAL DIRECTORS