Virginia E. Noel, 89, went into the loving arms of Jesus Aug. 14, 2009 with her family by her side.
She was born June 29, 1920 in Burr Oak, Kan. to Everett and Ida (Thornton) Ogle-vie.
She grew up in Superior, Neb., moving to Portland in 1941.
Mrs. Noel was a telephone switchboard operator in the 1930s. Her first husband was killed in World War II.
She met her second husband, Vern, while they were both working at a bakery. They were married for 24 years until his death in 1977. Later in life she took classes in floral arranging. She worked as a floral arranger at Jaye’s Floral Shop in Portland.
Mrs. Noel was a member of the Gresham Free Methodist Church. Church and her strong faith in God were the biggest part of her life. In her early years she was a Sunday school teacher for preschoolers and was active in the Vacation Bible School program. She also provided and arranged flowers for the church for many years.
She was a good cook, who liked collecting recipes, sewing, and was a voracious reader all her life. Her warm caring spirit touched everyone she knew.
Mrs. Noel is survived by her daughter, Sharon Rowton of Sweet Home; two sisters, Genevieve Frey of Denver, Colo. and Norma Harrington of South Carolina; three grandchildren, Paul Rowton of Sweet Home, Michelle Swett of Sweet Home and Chris Rowton of Bend; six great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held Aug. 21, 2009 with a concluding graveside service at Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland.
Paid Obituary