Marilyn Noble

Marilyn Noble, 91, died on August 19, 2026, at home surrounded by her two daughters after a long and active life.

Born in Washington, D.C., Marilyn spent parts of her childhood in New Jersey and New York. She graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College. She married John Noble, in 1959, and moved to Connecticut to raise her family. She was predeceased by her parents, Grace and Harry Gardner; her ex-spouse, John Noble; her twin brother, Lynn Gardner; and her older brother, Harry Gardner. She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth (Jim) Mullin and Patricia Bowman; four grandchildren, Nicole  Whittier and Lindsay Wright and Trevor and Hannah Bowman; three great-granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews in both the Gardner and Noble families. She was especially happy to celebrate her first great-granddaughter, Zoey Lukeski, heading off to college in South Carolina, sharing a favorite sushi meal together shortly before she passed.

Marilyn was an active grandmother, stepping in for childcare as needed through the years, traveling to Texas, hosting the grandchildren in Norwalk, Purdys and later during summers in Maine, and camping and traveling to beach destinations.

Marilyn was active in her church home, Norwalk United Methodist Church, first as a congregant and later as a member of the lay staff. Her background in social work and volunteerism led to a diverse career path. She worked with the underprivileged at NEON (Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now) and, after earning her master's degree, transitioned into counseling with private clients. Her role on the staff of Norwalk United Methodist Church eventually rekindled her call to ministry, an ambition she had set aside after college. 

Her longtime ambition to become a pastor had not been easily pursued at a time when opportunities for women in ministry were limited. At age 60, that ambition was fulfilled when she was appointed a licensed local pastor in the New York Annual Conference, serving Purdys United Methodist Church for ten years. There she preached, managed the church property, and led a personal ministry that included performing weddings and baptisms, some for her own nieces and nephews.

Mandatory retirement at age 70 brought her to Portland, Maine, in 2005. Retirement, however, did not prove to be one of her particular talents. She continued her pastoral work in Maine, taking on two consecutive interim positions with the Methodist church before a third retirement finally stuck.

An avid traveler throughout her life, Marilyn visited more than 15 countries and half of the U.S. states. Her many adventures included a mission trip to Bolivia and a cherished experience swimming with dolphins in Florida. Summers in Stone Harbor, New Jersey, held a special place in family life over the years, where relatives remember her swimming and body surfing in the waves during extended-family vacations. She was still diving into the ocean waves during a trip to Florida in 2021, at age 86. She stayed active through bowling leagues, tennis groups, swimming, and family ski trips, and even took up snowshoeing after moving to Maine.

In Portland, Marilyn pursued her many interests and met new friends by joining groups and frequently taking on leadership roles. Her calendar was filled with garden club tours and the annual plant sale, quilt guild meetings and retreats, church activities, season theater tickets shared with friends, and sometimes simply a trip for fresh lobster from a local lobsterman who steamed it for her in his garage.

She also enjoyed the fellowship of Gritty's Mug Club, reflecting her knack for finding community not only in churches and sewing rooms, but over a good beer as well.

A notable extrovert, Marilyn made friends wherever she went and loved bringing people together. Her inclusiveness often meant expanding the holiday table for someone who might otherwise be alone, inviting another single person to join her on a trip, or hosting friends for lunch and sewing in her well-equipped quilting room. Her many friendships across the years were an important part of her journey, sharing in the good times and holding her up through the difficult ones.

Marilyn valued people and the communities they created together. She spent her life finding ways to help others and bringing people together. The family hopes those who remember her will do the same, in whatever way feels meaningful to them.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, September 28, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Conroy-Tully Walker, 300 Allen Ave., Portland, Maine. The family kindly requests no flowers. Instead, those wishing to honor Marilyn are encouraged to make a contribution to a cause dear to their heart that helps others, whether in their local community or around the world.