Mary Elaine Noonan

Mary was born on October 15, 1943, at Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to Elizabeth Ethel Swinton and Lieutenant Bernard Joseph Slattery. She spent her early years in Montreal before moving with her mother to St. Albans, Vermont, at age five. The eldest of five girls, she grew up with her sisters Ann, Jane, Sarah and Susie.

Mary returned to Montreal for college, attending Marianapolis College and earning her degree through the University of Montreal. She later studied English literature at the University of Ottawa and began teaching third grade in Montreal in 1966.

On May 29, 1965, Mary married Joseph Patrick Augustine “Gus” Noonan at the Chapel at Loyola College in Montreal. Together, they had six children: Elizabeth, Maureen, Kevin, Michael, Carolyn and Christopher.

Mary’s father was serving with the Canadian Army when she was born. He was killed in action in Belgium on October 10, 1944, during the Battle of the Scheldt, five days before Mary’s first birthday. Although she never had the opportunity to know him, his loss remained with her throughout her life. As a young woman, she traveled alone to Belgium to visit his grave at Adegem Canadian War Cemetery.

Travel became one of Mary’s great loves. She studied Spanish in Mexico City and traveled throughout Europe, Mexico, Russia and Canada. She passed that sense of adventure on to her children, giving them opportunities to experience the world from an early age. In the early 1990s, she sent four of her children backpacking together through Italy, Greece and Turkey, hoping the experience would strengthen their relationships.

Family connection remained a constant in Mary’s life. After moving from Canada to Connecticut, she made sure her children remained close to their Canadian relatives, piling all six into the family van each Christmas for the trip north.

In 1990, Mary’s son Michael Andrew Noonan died in a car accident at age 17. Years later, Mary described his death as “a life-changing event for our whole family.” The loss was devastating and strengthened her determination to keep her surviving children connected.

Mary continued creating reasons for her family to gather. Thanksgiving and Christmas at her home could last all day, with beautiful tables, family traditions, and her much-loved turkey and stuffing. She was famous for putting the turkey in the oven later than everyone thought necessary. Her children eventually decided they knew why: she did not want anyone to leave.

Mary also had a lifelong love of art. An accomplished artist, she painted in oils and acrylics and won prizes in art shows. After moving to Madison, she volunteered as a docent at the Yale Center for British Art in New Haven.

Living near the water had long been one of Mary’s dreams. In 1991, she moved to Madison, Connecticut, where her home looked out on the water. She returned to real estate for another decade while continuing to paint and pursue her love of the arts.

Mary is survived by her children Elizabeth Ann Reilly and her husband, John, of Newport, Rhode Island; Maureen Helen Noonan of Clinton, Connecticut; Kevin Patrick Noonan of Madison, Connecticut; Carolyn Ann Noonan-Sowa of South Glastonbury, Connecticut; and Christopher Brian Noonan of Madison, Connecticut; her grandchildren Sean Patrick Reilly, Matthew Alexander Reilly, Emery Ann Sowa and Casey Ann Sowa; and her sisters Ann, Jane, Sarah and Susie.

She was predeceased by her parents, Bernard Joseph Slattery and Elizabeth Ethel Swinton, and her son, Michael Andrew Noonan.

Mary will be laid to rest at South Burying Ground in Berlin, Connecticut, beside Michael, in the adjoining cemetery plot she chose for herself after his death more than three decades ago.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the food pantry in Madison, CT.

Years ago, when her son Kevin asked what wisdom she would leave for her grandchildren and future great-grandchildren, Mary wrote:

“I think the only lasting thing of significance I can leave with my children and grandchildren is each other.”

In many ways, Mary had already spent a lifetime teaching them exactly that.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Tuesday, September 29, from 4pm to 7pm, at Swan Funeral Home, located at 825 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT. Services and burial following the calling hours will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mary's honor to the Madison Food Pantry.