Hannelore Carter Noble

Laurie Noble was nothing less than a sheer force of nature. She was was strong willed, brilliant, passionate, courageous, and willing to fight for what she believed in. She was fascinated by so many subjects and people that she could carry on interesting conversations with everyone she met. She had so much energy that she was known to wear out her beloved children and even her granddaughter. At the age of 82, she was debating whether she should retire or continue working because she loved being active and engaged.

She inspired others to take risks and to strive to better their own lives and the lives of others. She led by example through her volunteer work and dedication to her community, her friends and her family. Laurie was also known for her ability to tell a story about something as mundane as learning the GPS system in her car and make everyone laugh. Above all, Laurie was a good friend to so many, offering sound advice and solutions.

Laurie was born in Homberg, Germany and came to the United States after World War II when she was just 7 years old. She didn’t speak any English and grew up in a post-war world that wasn’t accepting of Germans. She arrived in the U.S. with her mother and her adoptive father who was an American doctor in the Air Force. They lived in Huntington, New York then in Honolulu, Hawaii where Laurie blossomed at Punahou Academy. Laurie had a lifelong love of learning and after Punahou, she continued her education at Syracuse University, Yale University, and Villanova University. She eventually spread her joy of knowledge with legions of students by teaching English at Villanova University and Boston University and later tutoring disadvantaged children. Later in life Laurie enjoyed being part of the Back Bay real estate community as a realtor. She was committed to and volunteered for many causes such as immigrant’s rights, peace activism, women’s rights, and civil rights. She was also part of many book clubs, film clubs, and volunteered with the Boston Symphony.

As an adult, Laurie lived in many places from Philadelphia to New York City to Chicago but her favourite was always Back Bay in Boston. She adored being able to walk to her beloved Boston Athenaeum, Symphony, Ballet, Boston Garden, The ‘Quin, and along the Esplanade and Comm. Ave with her Springer Spaniel, Flannery. For many years, she wrote a wonderful column for the Back Bay Courant celebrating Boston’s unique monuments and activities. It was truly her spirit home.

In the summer, Laurie could be found swimming clear across the kettle ponds and sailing with her late husband, Dick Noble, in Wellfleet and Chatham on the Cape. She could also be found discussing every book in the stacks at the Chatham library with her granddaughter who shares her love of literature.

She is survived by her daughters Kim Noble, Katie Noble, her son-in-law Mark Phillips, and her granddaughter Elizabeth Noble Phillips.

A celebration of Laurie’s life will take place at the ‘Quin House at 217 Commonwealth Avenue in Back Bay on August 6, 2023 at 2:00 pm. Please RSVP to [email protected] to attend the Memorial Service. The ‘Quin is private and your name must be on the Guest List to attend. Valet parking is available. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Laurie's memory to the Hannelore and Richard Noble Foundation at the Boston Foundation, P.O. Box 843027, Boston MA 02284-3027.