Gwen Noonan

Gwen Ann Noonan died peacefully November 6, 2013. She was born May 23, 1958 in Appleton, WI, the first of six children of Roger and Nancy Noonan. Gwen excelled at learning. She graduated from Kaukauna High School in 1976 and received her B.A. in English from Carlton College in Northfield, MN in 1980. She completed all but her thesis for a Master of Arts in English from UW-Oshkosh and made her friends and family far more knowledgeable in the process. Gwen shared her gift of choral music and theater while at Carlton. Gwen sang with the choir at Plymouth United Church of Christ in Minneapolis. She later performed with Green Bay Music Theater in The Sound of Music, Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, The Wizard of Oz and as Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. Gwen enjoyed singing with the Green Bay Chamber Choir for many years. Most recently, Gwen worshiped through music with the choir of Union Congregational United Church of Christ. Gwen was a teacher, mentor, and teammate at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. She inspired and guided many as a supervisor, trainer, and facilitator of difficult situations at American Medical Security “back in the day”. Gwen’s most important role was as the mother of Joanna Parsons Chappell and Gena Parsons. Gwen often said that she “lived well with cancer for many years” with the goal of seeing her daughters grow up “normally”. They have grown up extraordinarily. Gwen is survived by her daughters Joanna Parsons (Layne) Chappell of Williamsburg, VA, Gena Parsons of Chicago, IL and their father, John (Kim) Parsons of Green Bay. She is further survived by her mother Nancy Noonan (Wally Wiedenbeck) of Crandon, Amy Noonan (David Bray) of Wisconsin Rapids, Rory (Lori) Noonan of Madison, Adam (Cindy) Noonan of Kaukauna, Eric Noonan of Wheeling, IL, Erin Noonan (Tim Minsart) of Green Bay, her Pseudo Sister and Traveling Companion, Virginia Riggs of Green Bay and many dear nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father Roger Noonan. Gwen treasured the comfort and company of many loved ones including especially Bonnie, Lois, Penny, Sally, Courtney, Elaine and Marshall. Visitation will be at Union Congregational United Church of Christ on Friday, November 8 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be Saturday, November 9 at 11:00AM at the church with Reverend Steve Hartman officiating. In lieu of flowers, Gwen asked that memorials be given in her name to Union Church or Unity Hospice in Green Bay or American Players Theater in Spring Green, WI. Many thanks for the outstanding care of Drs. Koch and Winkler and the compassionate nurses at Green Bay Oncology, Kathy Steward, APNP with Aurora Medical Group and the wonderful staff at Unity Hospice.

Gwen Noonan

May 23, 1958 - November 6, 2013