NOBLE, MARIAN COPE (SMITH) - 13 April, 1920- 25 October, 2013 - On October 25 after a long and happy life, enriched by family and friends and by service to others. Predeceased by her beloved husband of 59 years, Rev. Dr. Ronald Noble (Minister Emeritus First Baptist Church, Kingston), and their son Mark. Greatly loved mother of John (Linda) Noble, Nancy Pope, Roger (Nicola Batchelor) Noble, Dr. Stephen (Lynne) Noble, and Duncan (Mary Crnkovich) Noble, and mother-in-law of Brenda Carter. Proud and loving grandmother of Christine (Steve Seller), Mike (Heather) Noble and Sarah (Ben Bottorff) Noble; Wendy (Ken MacDiarmid) Pope, Matt (Jess) Pope and Dr. Jenn (Dr. Paul Gallupe) Pope; Sean and Noel Noble, Allysson and Darryll Massiah; Becky Noble, Jacquelyn (Jason Roberts), John, and David Noble; Elizabeth and Tyler DaCosta and Zach Noble. Great grandmother of Brogan Seller, Shannon and James Noble and Max Gallupe. Lovingly remembered by brothers Norm (Carol), Harold “Wendell” (Eva) and Bob (Linda) Smith, by sister Bette (Merv) Martin, and by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by brother Dick and sister Rayma. The daughter of George Franklin and Mary Judith (Cope) Smith, Marian grew up in Florenceville NB, the eldest of seven children. After high school she went on to Normal School. She started her teaching career at Moose Mountain, NB, where she had a class of 50 students ranging from grade 1 to grade 8. After school, she prepared graduating students for high school. Marian attended Acadia University and earned a Home Economics Diploma. She and Ron were married in 1942. Together they had six children, 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Ron's studies and work as a Baptist minister took them to pastorates near Boston MA, Moncton and Saint John NB, Bridgewater NS, and Kingston ON. Every new pastorate added another new child or grandchild to the family. While in Bridgewater, Marian resumed teaching at Hebbville Consolidated High School. In Kingston she completed degrees at Queen’s, and taught at Frontenac PS and Beechgrove School. She also assumed many leadership and service roles at church, including singing in the choir and directing the junior choir. Marian and Ron travelled extensively and had many adventures. When they were nearing retirement they spent a year volunteering in Kenya, where they lived in a concrete-block hut with open windows and running water only when there was enough rainwater to fill the cistern on the roof. While in Africa they toured several countries and climbed Mount Kenya. After returning to Canada, they sponsored two Kenyan students who studied in Kingston and lived in their home in Canada for a year. They also travelled to China, Korea, and extensively across Europe, the Middle East, Canada and the US. Marian had a love of nature and continued hiking, canoeing, skiing and bicycling until her 80’s. Most of her grandchildren have many fond memories of camping with Grandma and Grandpa. Marian loved gardening, sewing, reading, music, and especially cooking, and hosted thousands of meals for family and friends. Queen’s students who attended church were usually invited home for Sunday lunch. After Ron died in 2001, Marian continued living at home until she was 91, when she moved into Helen Henderson Retirement Home. She received excellent and compassionate care and support there and the family would like to thank all her caregivers. Thanks also to Edna Day, for her friendship, faithful support, and loyalty, and to all her other friends at First Baptist Church for their visits, prayers, and expressions of concern.
A celebration of Marian’s life will take place in FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH (corner Johnson and Sydenham Sts., Kingston) on November 5 at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Don Misener officiating. Visitation will be on November 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at JAMES REID FUNERAL HOME, 1900 John Counter Blvd. No Flowers please. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Helen Tufts Nursery School Kingston or to the charity of your choice. James Reid Funeral Home, Kingston, Ontario, www.jamesreidfuneralhome.com