Sarah Ann (Sally) Noonan
January 9th, 1945 to September 20th, 2015
With her beloved partner George Duffell by her side, Sally passed quietly and peacefully away after a two year battle with breast cancer. Sal dealt with her challenges with incredible fortitude and dignity.
Sally was born January 9th, 1945 in Regina, Saskatchewan. At the age of two her family travelled by train to Victoria, BC where they made their home for many years. At twenty, Sally met her first husband Dennis, and they moved around British Columbia and Alberta before settling in Cranbrook, BC where she raised her three girls. Sally decided to move to Nanaimo to be closer to her girls and it is here where she met her soul mate and best friend, George. Sally spent her working life within the education system and ended her career with the SD 68, Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District as the Human Resource Manager for elementary teacher staffing.
Sally, a natural competitor and avid sportswoman, grew to love many sports throughout her life and made so many dear friends along the way. She had a true passion for golf and curling and served as a positive role model for her family. Her energy and passion for everything and everyone around her was contagious. Sally was knowledgeable in many areas and in particular loved reading and English history. She was an accomplished golfer and curler and spent many happy hours on the course or at the rink, She was also an accomplished quilt maker and seamstress. There wasn’t much that she couldn’t or wouldn’t put her mind to. She was a superb travelling companion to George and was ever curious about the history of every place she visited.
Sally was most proud of her three girls and how “strong” they all are. Sal took her responsibilities as a mom and ‘grannie’ seriously and deeply loved all of her immediate and extended family and was a loyal friend who never spoke ill of anyone. Sal believed that true happiness came from giving and she was generous with her time.
Grateful for sharing her life is her very special friend and soul mate, George Duffell of Nanaimo, BC; Christine Healey and her two children, Meaghan and Jeffrey of Victoria, BC; Carolyn Stevens of Cumberland, BC and her three children, Sarah, Emily and Scott; and Julie Jansa of Sioux Falls, SD, her husband Ryan and their two children, Isaak and Reese; sister Judith Braithwaite and her family; and George’s three children, Mark (Crystal and their children Hannah and Drew), Benn (Keiko and their children Maya and Taiyo) and Kim (Drew and son Tyler); and many relatives and dear friends.
Sally was preceded in death by her brother Denis and her parents, Walter and Evelyn Noonan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials/donations may be sent to the Nanaimo Curling Centre where George and Sally spent many happy hours perfecting their triple take outs. A highlight of their curling time together was the eight ender they ‘stole’. Sally matched this by getting a hole in one in one of her golf games.
Sal was treasured by her friends and family and will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace “to infinity and beyond” (TIAB)
Our thanks to the good folks at the Red Cross and the home visit nurses for their kindness and prompt action in getting Sal the assists she needed to make her comfortable.
A celebration of life will be held at the Nanaimo Curling Centre at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 3rd.