Mary L. Noone

She was the glue that cemented her family and friends together. According to long time friend Francis Gosnell, Noone had an appreciated gift for telling the truth so that everyone would be on the same page. Noone was also well known for creating fun. She was the driving force behind a locally famous FSU football tailgating party tradition that started in 1980 and continues with a host of family members and friends. Her home was a gathering place in which everyone felt welcomed and loved.

Noone, 62, worked for the state of Florida for 36 years. Her commitment to the State of Florida Department of Children and Families, previously known as the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS), has been proven through her years of dedicated service. She initially started with HRS on August 1, 1973 as a Secretary II in the Division of Youth Services, and was promoted to various administrative support positions prior to being hired in the Personnel Office in February 1985 as a Personnel Technician. There, she oversaw the Department's Fingerprint and Background Screening Program and was involved in the legislative budget request process for several years. She was promoted several times due to her efficiency, professionalism and willingness to go beyond the requirements of her job. In November 1988, she began working in the office of Classification and Compensation. History repeated itself as she thrived and held several positions, each time advancing until she became the Classification and Compensation Coordinator and then Manager in June 2001. In October 2002 she was hired as the Human Resources (HR) Manager in the Office of Information Technology Services where she supervised the HR Unit that included payroll, labor relations, recruitment, benefits, classification and pay, workers' compensation and background screening. She remained in this position until she retired August 30, 2008. After a brief retirement, she was rehired in the same role due to her tremendous knowledge base and expertise in Human Resources. Over the years, Mary's exemplary characteristics have made a significant impact on everyone she worked with and the Department as a whole.

Noone started life in Hough's Neck, Massachusetts a block from the sea. In 1952, her family moved to Miami where she spent the rest of her childhood, graduating from Hialeah High School. She moved to Tallahassee in 1972. Noone loved the beach and fishing, spending several summers with her friends Bob and Betsy Webb during lobster season in the Florida Keys.

Noone is survived by a very strong family: her two sisters, Kenna Noone-Kirkpatrick (of Maitland, Florida) and her husband Christopher Bolton, Florida and Mickey Noone Capeletti (of Pembroke Pines, Florida) and her partner Henry Sledge. In addition to her sisters, Noone was is survived by her extended family that included her niece Brigid Kirkpatrick-Davidescue, husband Robert Davidescu and son Finn (all of Winter Park Florida) ; her niece Angela Perry, husband Greg Perry and children, Carter, Karena and Will Ryan (all of Tallahassee ); her niece Catlin Jones, husband Newton Jones and children Chloe, Charlotte and Curran (all of Maitland, Florida); her niece Mandi Young and her husband Adam Young (both of Tallahassee.) Finally she leaves behind an amazing group of heartbroken friends who loved her very much.

Her funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, March 26 at 11:00 at St. Paul's Methodist Church. The family will hosts friends after the service. Arrangements are being handled by Culley's Meadow Wood Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to www.bigbendhospice.com/gift_now.htlm

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.