Denise Cecilia Noonan

40 years, 2 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, that is how long I have known Denise.

We met on my first day at IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY and the rest is a story of a fabulous life together.

So who was Denise Cecilia Noonan?  You each have your own answer to that question and I suspect it varies but I would venture to guess that there are some common themes. We can all reflect on these as I share with you some stories about the Denise that I knew.  

But first, let me tell you about Denise Cecilia Miller, the girl who grew up in a small coal-mining town in the middle of Pennsylvania. She was not a "coal miners daughter" but she was a "coal miners granddaughter" and her dad had to work many jobs to make ends meet and he did this while Denise's mom struggled with health problems.    Despite these challenges, I think she had a happy childhood which laid the foundation for the great wife, mother, and friend she became to all of us.

When you look back on those early years you can see some of the things that defined Denise. From her father, I think she got her work ethic. She was certainly not afraid to work. She worked many jobs as a kid: babysitter, lifeguard, waitress, and bank teller to name a few.  All of these things influenced her and had an impact on her later in life. Since the day I first met her, she would not put a bill in her purse that was not in the correct position. Do you think the bank teller job had something to do with this?  

She was a lifeguard at the town pool and this served her well later in life when she taught swimming lessons to both kids and adults. It also served me well when she saved a stranger's life and my life one day.  Let me quickly tell you the story.

Before kids, we were on vacation in Cape Cod and we decided to swim to a sandbar out in the ocean. It was a couple of hundred feet out there and required swimming through some deep water. I was not a great swimmer but could muscle my way out there with a few feet to spare.  On the way out there, a guy called to me and asked me to come over. I did and when I got to him he grabbed me and I immediately went under. This was not good but to my surprise, I was suddenly free and when I surfaced, I saw Denise with her arm around the guy's upper body dragging him to safety.  I wonder if he remembers that day?

From her mother, I think she got her attention to detail. This includes her money management and couponing skills. She was known as the"Coupon Queen" a title she inherited from her mom. Here is a story that illustrates this point.  As many of you know, I worked at IBM and built Point of Sale systems or what you know as cash registers.  

About 15 years back, we had a contest to see who could get the biggest discount for 15 items at the grocery store. I told Denise about this and she immediately jumped on the challenge. Over a period of a month, Denise collected her best coupons and then went off to Harris Teeter.  So she goes through the checkout lane and low and behold the amount due goes negative and Harris Teeter does not give back the money. So Denise being Denise grabbed a magazine and put the transaction back in the positive and this 16th item resulted in a second-place finish rather than first. It is funny. Denise worried about the small stuff but when it came to donating large sums of money to charity her attitude was "We have the money to give".

Another trait of Denise that was cultivated as a child and practiced throughout her adult life was her caring for people. It started when her grandmother who had a stroke lived with her family. She used to tell me she would comb her hair every day when she returned home from school. 

As an adult, I saw this in action. If somebody was sick or had a death in the family, Denise was always there to help and provide a meal, when my dad was needing help, she took him into our home when her parents needed help, she would drive down to Pinehurst almost every day to provide assistance.  And of course, there was "Granny", Kelly Scott's grandmother who Denise took to church every Saturday night and afterward to McDonalds for a cheeseburger and ice cream cone. She did this for several years. 

Denise was also an athlete in high school playing varsity basketball and softball and this continued when she went to college at Rosemont, a catholic women's college. She was a fierce competitor that anyone who ever played against her in tennis knows. Personally, I tried to avoid that matchup. I learned early on playing "horse" in basketball with Denise.  She always beat me. She had game.

Speaking of Rosemont, I once called her a "Rose Monster" to which she quickly responded by calling my alma mater Fairleigh Dickinson, "Fairly Ridiculous". She was always so much quicker on her feet than me. In any social situation, she was always confident and was never intimidated by anyone, she would talk to anyone. In fact, on one of our yearly outings with our IBM friends. We met and competed against Usain Bolt because Denise would approach anyone and strike up a conversation.  After the service catch up with me and I will let you know who won.

Denise was a friend and she had many. If it wasn't for her, I would have only very few.  Just look at the number of friends that she has known for 40 or more years. Many of you, I put in the "Angel" category. You are the folks who have been there for her in her time of need with visits, meals, flowers, and prayers.  Thank you so very very much.

Denise was a mother and her daughters are shining examples of her love. She was a best friend and confidant. Always there in whatever capacity they needed and willing to drop everything to give them love, support, and guidance. As I look at them I see Denise, I see her caring heart, I see her determination, and I see the competitor. They have always made Denise proud

Denise was a teacher and tutor. There are hundreds of kids who have benefited from her knowledge and more importantly her patience as a math teacher. I think there are also hundreds of moms and dads who benefitted as well. Many of you are here today.

Denise is my hero.  We all can take lessons from her on how to face adversity. She has shown nothing but grace, dignity, and courage throughout her whole battle with brain cancer. I can only hope that I can be as half as brave as she has been. 

Denise was my wife and best friend who made my life so very very special. I have been the luckiest person in the world to be able to have shared her journey with her through 40 years of her life.  

I miss her so very much.

* * * * * * * * * *

On November 21, 2021, Denise Cecilia Noonan passed away at the age of 62 after a hard-fought battle with brain cancer at home, surrounded by her family.

Denise was born on June 4, 1959 in Shamokin, PA to Rosaire and George Miller. She received her bachelors from Rosemont University. On March 31, 1984, she married her beloved husband, William (Bill) James Noonan, and together they raised three daughters.

Beloved Denise was many things to many people:

Denise was an educator. Starting off as a student teacher, Denise spent the duration of her career tutoring math. She was locally famous for being the math miracle worker, bringing students’ grades from D’s and F’s to A’s and B’s.

Denise was an avid athlete. She thoroughly enjoyed being a member of tennis teams and playing pickleball in the neighborhood.

Denise was a friend. For friends of 40 years or 5 minutes, Denise took care to ensure all those around her were loved, cared for, and supported. Often described as the life of the party, her infectious laughter and smile lit up a room.

Denise was a mother. She was a best friend and confidant to her three daughters, always there in whatever capacity they needed and willing to drop everything to give them love, support, and guidance.

Denise was a wife who by example taught her husband to be a better person. She was his best buddy and the love of his life.

But most of all, she was a profoundly caring individual who was loved by all who had the great fortune to know her.

Denise is survived by her husband, Bill, and her three daughters, Meghan (and Garner), Kelsey (and Rich), and Erin (and Dylan). She also leaves behind her siblings, Hank, Janice, and Lisa. Denise was preceded in death by her mother, Rosaire, and her father, George.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center (https://tischbraintumorcenter.duke.edu/donate ) that worked tirelessly to give everyone two and half wonderful years longer with Denise. Or, the Brain Tumor Network (https://www.braintumornetwork.org/donate/) who provided valuable research and information throughout Denise’s journey with brain cancer.

The family would like to extend their sincerest, heartfelt gratitude to all the friends and family that have been constant sources of support throughout Denise’s battle with cancer through food, flowers, cards, well-wishes, and memorable visits.

A wake for Denise will take place Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 Southeast Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 11:00 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 804 High House Road, Cary, NC 27513.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BrownWynneCary.com for the Noonan family.