Search by Name
Search by Name
ALBANY Dorothea Polly Noonan, 88, died Friday, November 14, 2003. Polly was born and raised in Albany, the daughter of Dorilla Rosalie Giguere and John S. McLean. She attended Cathedral Academy, Albany High School, Class of 1934, and Russell Sage College Evening Division. After high school, she worked at Montgomery Ward & Co. where she met her husband, Peter E. Noonan. She is survived by her four children, Peter E. Noonan Jr. (Mary Anne), Polly N. Rutnik, Brian McLean Noonan (Bonnie) and Pamela N. Montimurro, all of Albany, as well as 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth M. Meagher and predeceased by her brother, John S. McLean II. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who delighted in her family life. She was active in P.T.A., Girl and Boy Scouts, Little League and all after-school activities. In 1935, she obtained a secretarial job with the N.Y.S. Senate Hudson Valley Survey Commission through her ward leader, beginning a lifetime of Democratic Party affiliation. She served as secretary to Senators Julian Erway, Peter D'Allesandro and Joseph Zaretski, retiring from the Senate in 1973, after 37 years. She served as a member of the National Democratic Committee and vice-chair of the N.Y.S. Democratic Committee. Polly also founded the Democratic Women of the Legislature and succeeded Mary Marcy as president of the Albany County Democratic Women's Club. Every year at the Democratic picnic at the Altamont Fairgrounds, she could be found manning the fried dough booth. Her home was always filled with women stuffing envelopes and making phone calls on behalf of candidates. Throughout her long life, Polly was an energetic public service volunteer. During World War II, she was a Grey Lady volunteer driver with the Motor Ambulance Corps and a water safety instructor for the Red Cross. She continued teaching water safely through the 1950s and organized a popular synchronized swimming club. Her volunteer activities included the Albany and Delmar Kiwanis clubs, Albany County Head Start, Rev. Peter Young Substance Abuse Program, the Honor Court Program and Alcohol Crisis Center. Many cold winter evenings found her serving hot meals to the homeless from a mobile kitchen truck with the Salvation Army. Proud of her French Canadian and Scottish Heritage, Polly was active in several area Scottish and Hibernian societies. Her home was always open to visiting lecturers and performers from overseas. Polly served on several education and charity boards including the N.Y.S. Institute for Performing Arts (The Egg), N.Y.S. Department of Education Professional Licensing Board, Camp Opportunities, Crohn's Colitis Foundation of America, Albany Children's Theatre and the Altamont Program. For 30 years, Polly was an active member of the Albany Lodge #49 B.P.O. Elks Ladies Auxiliary. When women were finally allowed to become members, she was among the first to join and, at age 82, she was elected an officer of the lodge. A strong force in her later years was a devotion to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. There will be no calling hours. The funeral will be private at the convenience of the family. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Those wishing to remember Polly may make a contribution to the Rev. Peter Young Foundation, 575 Broadway, Menands, NY 12204, the Crohn's Colitis Foundation, 11 Normanskill Blvd., Delmar NY 12054 or Camp Opportunities, Lawson Lake Rd., Feura Bush, NY 12067.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dear Polly,
My father and I are sorry to hear of the loss of your mother.
God bless her soul, you, and your family.
Freda Stahl
November 25, 2003
Pam--- So sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. D. J.
Deborah Cassidy
November 18, 2003
To Polly's Family:
On behalf of the officers and members of Albany Lodge No. 49 B.P.O.Elks, I wish to extend our sincere sympathy to you all on the loss of Polly. She was a loyal supporter of Elkdom and a dedicated member who will be missed by all, however she will be remembered each evening as the chimes toll eleven, with Elks the hour of rememberance.
Mildred Dugan, Exalted Ruler
Albany Lodge No. 49 B.P.O.Elks
Mildred Dugan
November 18, 2003
Frank W. Kindlon
November 17, 2003
deborah kindlon rhatigan
November 17, 2003
to all Polly's family
We at the Honor Court Program really enjoyed having Polly be with us and have some great stories of how she would combine her advocacy skills with her past history as she worked with us in Court to free someone afflicted with alcohol and drugs to go to treatment.
She also shared her thoughts and faith with me and my mother regarding her family and Mother Seton. We had a lot of laughs and I
know she is having a few with all the folks in heaven.
Sr. Phyllis Herbert
November 17, 2003
To the Family of Dorothea Polly Noonan, Our prayers are with you all and that God keep you in his loving care.
The New Church of Christ, of the Apostolic Faith, 419 Clinton Avenue, Albany, New York 12206
Pastor: Bishop Willie R. Lawson Sr.
and Members
Anvernita Lawson
November 17, 2003
To the Noonan Family:
I was truly saddened to hear of Polly's passing. I've known Polly for many years principally through the Albany and Delmar Kiwanis. I'll really miss her stories about albany county politics and her wit.
Rick Sturm
November 16, 2003
Dear Pam and family,
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. Mother's are very precious beings. I know you have many happy memories to share with each other. Getting together to share your memories and experiences helps keep our loved ones with us. My sincere sympathy.
Frosine Stolis
November 16, 2003
Dear Brian and Family,
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers with the loss of Polly.
Kevin Carroll
November 16, 2003
Polly,
My deepest sympathy in the loss of your mother.
One of my fondest memories is when your mother would be selling the Times Union in front of the County Office Building for charity. She didn't ask if you wanted the paper, she asked how many you wanted and then had a joke for you too. What a wonderful way to start the day.
Sally Clark
November 16, 2003
Pam, at the loss of your dear Mother, please know that you are in my thoughts. Bobby, Sabrina and I will be praying for you and your family.
Nanette Kelly
November 16, 2003
Dear Polly,
Your mom was a great lady. I know that she will be missed. I taught the Montimurro boys at CBA and Tina and Erin At Holy Names. She loved them dearly.
Sincerely, Tonita Nagle McKone
Tonita McKone
November 15, 2003
Polly, our sympathy on the loss of your Mother. She was quite a gal.
George and Mary Jo Rutnik
Mary Jo & George Rutnik
November 15, 2003
Brian Noonan, Mike McLean and Family,
..as I went throught the Chairs at Albany Elks #49..periodically the Officers of the Lodge would interact with the Ladies of the Auxilary and this was where I met Polly and her jokes with the outstanding personality of her fame.
She was a great Lady and she was always there, whereever it may be, through the years..when she was needed! I have wonderful memories of the times with Polly, as I am sure many do. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Take care.
Bernie Maskell Jr.
November 15, 2003
Pam,
I am so very sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. I hear you have a new granddaughter. Congratulations!
Much love always,
Eileen
Eileen (Duffy) Kane
November 15, 2003
Mrs. Noonan was a friend of my mother's (Janet Klotzke Henze) from high school . We lost Janet in 2001 but Mrs. Noonan called her frequently through the years nearly to the end. The family is grateful for her loyalty and friendship.
Howard Henze
November 15, 2003
We all love you Gram and you will be greatly missed. I know you and grandpa will be looking down on all of us and sharing with us in all we do. Love , Megan& Devin
megan noonan
November 15, 2003
Dear Pam and Polly:
I was deeply saddened to read of the passing of your beloved mother. She was an outstanding, wonderful person. I enjoyed all the productive and fun times we had when I was employed with Eddie Margolis in the Speaker's Office of the NYS Assembly and worked on different projects with her while a member of the ACWDC and DWOL. She will truly be missed.
My deepest sympathy to you and your families.
Ginny
Ginny Albert
November 15, 2003
Brian,Peter & Polly,Sorry to hear about your Mom. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hope
Hope Rodgers
November 15, 2003
Dear Peter and Brian:
My sincere condolences in the lose of your Mom. A great Lady.
Jack
John J. Devine
November 15, 2003
Pam & family,
My deepest condolences for your loss. Please know that you and your family are in my heart and in my prayers.
In Sympathy,
Barbara Ten Eyck
Barbara Ten Eyck
November 15, 2003
Pam, you are in my thoughts and prayers.....Your Mother was a wonderful woman who will never, ever be forgotten....I first met her when I was a youngster and would go watch my Mom and Dad, along with your Mother (and others, of course) bowl at Schades in a mixed league they all bowled in....God bless her......
Jean Frisbee
November 15, 2003
Truly the end of an era. Polly Noonan was a great lady and a staunch supporter of the ideals and the people she believed in. Her loyalty, service to her communities and feistiness will be missed.
Joan Roberts
November 15, 2003
Showing 1 - 24 of 24 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more