Susan Harpman Noone

Sue was born in Ohio to the late Webster and Helen Harpman. She grew up in Poland, Ohio and was a member of the Poland Seminary High School class of 1956. As a young woman Sue had an active social life. She was an athlete, and known to be an expert horsewoman. She spent her free time at Zedaker’s Pony Farm where she taught riding lessons, played polo, and showed off to the guys who was the boss lady on a horse. She brought her own children back to Zedaker's many times to take them for a trot around the track and enjoy the other barn animals.

In high school, when she wasn't riding horses, Sue drove a red Thunderbird convertible. Red was always her color! Her date book was filled most nights, typically rotating between three young men who courted her with consistency. She spent summers at a sleep-away camp on Lake Chautauqua in Western New York. It was at camp that she became an accomplished tennis player, winning several competitions. She also learned to canoe, sail, swim, and do every camp activity offered. As an adult, Sue became a competitive white water and open-water canoer, and also skiied occasionally at Greek Peak in the 1970’s.

She was accepted into the Barbizon School of Modeling, but her father squashed the modeling plans and encouraged her to pursue a career with more longevity. Susan did just that, and became a dedicated nurse for more than 40 years. She pursued her education at Western Reserve School of Nursing in Cleveland, and later earned her RN diploma from Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. During her nursing career, Susan worked at the Marie Foyle nursing home, Dr. Elting Johnson’s office, and Towanda Memorial Hospital.

In 1958 she married Roger Bargainnier, and together they raised their children, Sandra and David, in Towanda, Pennsylvania. Sue and Roger were competitive white water and open-water canoers during the 1960s and 70s, often navigating the slalom gates of Loyalsock Creek in early spring with ice lining the water’s edge. The couple later divorced in 1974.

Susan was a lover of all animals. At one point she had two horses, one sheep, four cats, a dog, lots of rabbits, rodents, and even a snake all living in her backyard in the Third Ward neighborhood of Towanda. She was popular for giving horseback lessons/rides in the side yard, and for supplying the neighborhood gardens with free and fresh manure.

Many from the neighborhood will remember the Christmas she received a horse-drawn buggy from her family, and gave rides around the neighborhood. The neighborhood kids will also remember her house being the scariest one on the block for Halloween. She was a regular at Gorman’s Pond where she loved to ice skate, make fires, and provide hot cocoa.

Sue was also active in the Junior Women’s Club, the Wednesday Club, and two bridge clubs. Not sure she was ever an intense bridge player, we think she went mostly to socialize and eat the “bridge mix.” Sue also enjoyed painting with acrylics, and many of “her works” were displayed throughout her home. Sue was also known to be a collector of nature. She had a hodgepodge of collections including seashells, driftwood, acorns, pinecones, and rocks.

Sue could fix anything with duct tape and a paperclip. She built her own pole barn and fireplace, became a decent plumber, and could perform quick automobile repairs in a pinch. Ever resourceful, Sue even skinned a deer in her basement that had been shot by her own son. That was a first and a last for them both!

It was while working in the emergency department at Towanda Memorial Hospital that Susan met her husband, Dr. James P. Noone, whom she married in 1981. Sue continued to work as the nurse and office manager in her husband’s private family medical practice until her retirement in 2004. Sue and Jim lived at Lake Wesauking, where Sue was a member of the “Pond Hill Yacht Club,” and sailed her sunfish in sailboat races every Saturday each summer. She never won, but she always finished. She stopped sailing in 2014.

Sue was excited to become a parent again when she and Jim welcomed Bridget into their lives. As an older mom, Bridget kept Sue very active in her 4-H competitions, St. Agnes activities, concerts, and pet care. Sue even attended a Limp Bizkit concert with Bridget! Sue, Jim and Bridget could also be found at their “dinner theatre” every Friday night at the Wysox Drive-In, a favorite family tradition. Sue enjoyed numerous family trips to their beach cottages on the Jersey shore. They also traveled to Marco Island, Daytona Beach, and later several Caribbean, Transatlantic, and European cruises. Jim and Sue retired to Auburndale, Florida in 2004, but continued to summer at their home on Lake Wesauking in Towanda.

Susan attended the Lutheran church occasionally as a child, and later accompanied Jim and Bridget to St. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church. She often stated she felt closer to “her creator” when riding a horse, swimming in Lake Wesauking, taking a walk on the beach, or hiking through the woods.

After 42 years of marriage, Sue was preceded in death by her loving husband, James Noone, in 2023. She is also predececed by her brother Robert Harpman, brother-in-law William Noone, niece Elizabeth O'Hara, and nephew David O'Hara.

Susan is survived by her brother, Richard (Veronica Anne) Harpman; her children, David Bargainnier, Sandra Bargainnier (Steve Sawyer), and Bridget Noone Cash (Ryan); her grandchildren, Morgan Sawyer, Casey Sawyer, Taryn Bargainnier (Dra Jackson), Tessa Berg (Jeremy), Devin Bargainnier, Logan Bargainnier, and Dylan Bargainnier; her brother-in-law George (Donna) Noone; her sister-in-law Margaret (Dave) O'Hara; her nephews Clinton (Tracy Davidson) Harpman, George Noone, and Kevin Noone; and five great-granddaughters.

There will be no services, but if you would like to honor Sue, go for swim in a lake, ride a horse in the woods, sail a great race, and take care of nature! The family requests that if you so choose, memorial contributions can be directed to: The Lake Wesauking Conservancy 501(c)(3) c/o John Nutting, 126 Wesauking Drive, Towanda, PA 18848.