Jeanette Noel
Jeanette (Nettie) Marie Noel, beloved wife, mother, and friend, passed peacefully at the age of 77 on October 3, 2023, in Colorado with her children by her side. Jeanette was born on July 22, 1946, in Quincy, Illinois where she graduated from Quincy Notre Dame High School. Quincy is also where she met the love of her life, Gary Phillip Noel, and they were wed at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on June 10, 1967. During their 51 years of marriage, Nettie regularly referred to Gary as her knight in shining armor – their love story is like a fairy-tale.
Jeanette was a Registered Nurse graduating from Blessing Hospital School of Nursing, with additional coursework at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Nettie quickly found her passion in helping families bring newborns into the world as a labor & delivery, nursery, and postpartum nurse and worked at Blessing Hospital on the maternity ward while she and Gary lived in Quincy. She also worked in various nursing capacities supporting newborns and new mothers in Mattoon, Illinois and Farmington, Missouri. Jeanette was also a certified Lamaze instructor, lactation consultant, and doula. Even after Nettie retired, she became known as the expert who new moms and families could call any hour of the day or night for support, a role she cherished. Her nurse’s training and caregiving approach remained with her until her final days as she was constantly providing care to other residents at Balfour Senior Living and even the medical staff as they cared for her.
Nettie’s contributions to every community she or her children lived in were innumerable; including Eucharistic Minister and active member at St. Pius Catholic Church in Owensboro, Kentucky, board member of the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, St. Vincent DePaul volunteer, hospital volunteer, active member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Quincy, March of Dimes walk organizer, and always a family favorite “Camp Nana & Papa” with road trips for the grandchildren, plus many, many more.
Nettie’s amazingly beautiful smile, deep love, dedication to her faith, and incomparable caring approach were the signatures of how she approached her life. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and caregivers.
Jeanette is survived by her daughter, Jacqueline Noel; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Staci Noel; and four grandchildren, Jackson & Noel Ringwald, Adrien & Beckett Noel. She was preceded in death by her parents Gladys Rita and James R. Higgins and her husband.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, October 9, 2023, at 11:00 AM in St. Peter Catholic Church, 2600 Maine St., Quincy. Interment of both Jeanette and Gary in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday at St. Peter Catholic Church from 10:00 AM until the time of the services at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, donations are being made to Quincy March of Dimes or Owensboro, Kentucky St. Pius Catholic Church to honor Nettie. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be made at www.dukerandhaugh.com.
I am very sorry to hear of Nettie’s passing. I have many fond memories of her.
So sorry for your loss Jeanette was a member of my class at QND. She was a super person and she will be missed. Rick and Judy haugh
Dear family.
You have our prayers for the repose of Jeanette and our condolences.
My oldest sister was her friend in school at St. Rose and ND, and very kind. Her father attended St. Rose with my father and HS.
Long time old family of the parish.
Ill have a mass said for her soul.
Paul K. Geers
I’m so very sorry to hear about your moms’s passing. We went to Notre Dame High School & remained friends forever. Our husbands were both in the Navy. We always enjoyed being friends with them. They were the sweetest couple & adored each other. We always enjoyed our class reunions & always seemed to pick up where we left off at the last reunion. Was glad to keep in contact through email & Facebook. They absolutely were so proud of you two children & their grandchildren. I know you will miss them but I’m so sure Gary was glad to be reunited with his “Nettie”. I am purging now to move & I ran across a picture of them & was getting ready to send it to her! I will miss her sweet voice. Hugs & prayers to you & your families.
dearest family of Nettie & Gary,
as a colleague of Jeanette’s during our high school years–Notre Dame 1960-64, I was surprised of the passing of peppy & delightful, always-caring Nettie. Although we only touched briefly at high school reunions and birthday parties, it was always pleasant to share a giggle or a laughing memory and catch up on families and our history. My mom, Ruthie Bartholomew, was a long ago connection, too, during the years she spent as the industrial nurse at Gardner Denver where Gary spent some time.
You are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope your memories of your parents will continue to enrich your lives. warmly, ❤️annieb
Thinking of you and your family.
So sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. She and I were nursing school classmates. Your Dad and I graduated from QHS the same year. I have fond memories of playing cards with your folks while all the little ones were sleeping on blankets on the floor. There are many great fun and funny memories! Nettie was always a kind and caring person who loved Gary and her kids deeply. Sending prayers of comfort to the entire family . Zigrida Brown
Such a wonderful woman! From being a long ago neighbor to L&D nurse when my son was born to a fun FB friend when we moved away from each other. Both Gary and Nettie always had a smile and a story. They sure loved and were proud of their kids and grandkids. I am glad I knew her.
Jeanette was a nurse at the Blessing Hospital Maternity Unit I fondly remember working with, when I was in the Public Relations Office. She was completely dedicated to her skillset and was so kind. A lovely woman I was fortunate enough to know, work with and fondly think of still today. So many lives were changed because of her special life. May her children be blessed with grace and time to absorb their loss. Take care.