Noella Pearson

1945 - 2026

NOELLA LOUISE PEARSON OBITUARY

Noella Louise Pearson, known lovingly by her family as "Nonie," passed away on February 22, 2026, in Redding, California. She was 81 years old.



Noella was born on January 28, 1945, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the eldest child in her family. When she was about one year old, her parents relocated to Southern California. In 1957, the family moved to Great Falls, Montana, when her father was transferred by Anheuser-Busch. It was there that Noella's mother enrolled the children at the Ursuline Academy, a local Catholic grade school. Noella completed eighth grade at the academy and went on to graduate from Great Falls Central Catholic High School in 1962. Her introduction to the Ursuline sisters during those formative years would play a pivotal role in shaping her future and deepening a faith that remained central to her life.

As the oldest sibling, Nonie set the tone for the family. There are few early childhood memories among her brothers and sister that do not include her. She was, in every sense, the big sister, a steady and familiar presence woven into the fabric of every family story. To her siblings, she was never simply Noella. She was Nonie.

In 1963 her dad, George Pearson, was transferred to Fresno, California, where Noella went on to attend Fresno State. However, that is where her story takes a major turn. Noella's faith came calling and it was time for her to fulfill a role within the Catholic Church and so she entered the Order of Saint Ursuline Convent in Santa Rosa, California. She took her temporary vows and began the next steps on her spiritual journey. So much good happened for her doing those years. Her love of music and teaching flourished. She helped with the choir and performed at church services. While growing up she would play the organ for mass at Holy Family Church across the street from the Pearson home in Great Falls. Playing the organ for daily mass during Lent and Advent.



After seven years, before taking permanent vows, Noella decided to leave and return to Sacramento taking a teaching position at Loretta High School from 1974 to 1977. Just as a sidenote, the fact that Noella played guitar and played the organ at weddings and at funerals for over 35 years is totally impressive. Her faith and her talent were always on display.



Noella then went on to create a whole other successful career for herself with Aetna Life and Casualty Company out in the corporate world as a professional in the insurance industry, achieving her Certified Life Underwriters (CLU) certification-always the student, always learning.

She served as President of the Sacramento Chapter of CLU in 1986-1987.



Noella moved to Redding in 1995 and became her mother's caregiver. She was hired by Shasta Union High School District (SUHSD) at the original Foothill High School on Eureka Way. She worked at SUHSD with the independent study program until her retirement in 2013



Even after her retirement she continued to be active in the community. She served with nonprofit organizations such a AAUW (American Association of University Women) and The Women's Fund, as well as Newcomers.



Noella is survived by her brothers Phil Pearson and his wife Lynne and their children Eric and Jamie and by Don Pearson and his wife Dee and their daughters Monet (her husband Russ and family) and Pavaune; and by her sister Lori Pearson and her husband Bob and her son George.

Nonie loved being a great aunt known as "Grantie Nonie" to Monet and Russ' boys, Max and Cooper.



A Catholic Mass of the Resurrection and a Celebration of Life will be held on April 20th at 10:30 am at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Redding, California. Family and friends are welcome to gather in celebration of Noella's life and in prayer for her eternal rest. The Celebration of Life will be held at 12 noon at the Sheraton Hotel, Sundial Bridge.



In lieu of flowers, donations to the HAVEN Humane Society would be appreciated.