On April 12, 2013, Jeanne C. Noll (nee Winter) died at the Lutheran Home in Topton, PA, aged 77 after a short and devastating illness. She was born on August 12, 1935 to Carl and Ruth Winter of Reading, Pa. She was the beloved wife of Clair W. Noll, who survives her. Also, surviving her are her two children and their families – Eric W. and Georgiana W. Noll and their children Alexandra M. Noll and Meredith P. Noll, and Douglas C. Noll and Tamiko O. Noll and their son, Wilson O. Noll. Jeanne is also survived by her brother, Carl Winter and his wife, Sharon and their two children and her sister-in-law Janice MacDonald and her husband, Jack and their two children.
Jeanne was a dynamic, vigorous and invigorating woman who collected friends where ever she went in her long and fully engaged life. As she was fond of retelling, she was born in the back of taxicab on the way to the then Community General Hospital in Reading, PA. She spent her entire young life in Reading – living on Perry St and being a proud member of the 13th Street club – having gone from Kindergarten through High School all on 13th Street, graduating from Reading High School in 1953.
Following high school, she attended Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA to major in Music Education. There – as a freshman – she meant her future husband, Clair, in line to register for classes. An active athlete at LVC, she was a member of the Girls' Basketball team and the Women's Athletic Association as well as an active participant in intramural sports including hockey, volleyball, ping pong, softball and badminton. In 1955, she received the LVC title of Miss Athlete. Additionally, she was a member of the Political Science Club, Delta Lambda Sigma, the Girl's Band and the Chorus. Jeanne graduated from LVC in 1957. She, along with her husband, were active alumni of LVC both of them having been inducted as lifetime members of the Vickroy Society in 2010 and actively involved in organizing class reunions and Alumni events. At one reunion, held in 1967, the rumor is that Jeanne danced as a go-go girl.
Jeanne married Clair W. Noll on June 8, 1957 and together they have celebrated 56 years of marriage. Shortly after being married, Clair was drafted into the army and was transferred to Japan as part of his service. Jeanne joined him there to teach English to the children of American servicemen stationed at a US Army Base near Yokohama, Japan. Their time together in Japan gave Jeanne a life-long love of Japan and the Japanese. She also learned to love travel and Jeanne and her husband traveled the US and the world extensively. Upon returning to the U.S. and to live permanently in Fleetwood, PA, Jeanne became a mother to her two sons – Eric, in 1961, and Doug, in 1963. Upon becoming a mother, Jeanne gave up teaching full-time and concentrated on the raising of her children. Through many family camping trips and visits to their summer home on the Chesapeake Bay, the family became close – remaining dedicated to one another over the many years of their lives together.
When her children left home to attend college, Jeanne returned to teaching full-time becoming a music educator in the Kutztown, Pa school system – where she become a beloved figure - for her delight in music, and her delight in her students. One of her most favorite activities was directing the 'Pop Group' - a performance choir at Kutztown High School. Under her directorship, the group won nation awards. Jeanne remained close to many of the students who passed under her baton in Pop Group. Jeanne and her husband were also involved during her years as a teacher in the Kutztown Kiwanis club – heading the youth organization of the Club and rising to the leadership of the Kiwanis.
An active participant in political life and the Republican Party, Jeanne was a past Vice-Chairman (and occasionally, Acting Chairman) of the Berks County Republican Party. She was a diligent and informed member of the PA State Republican Committee and had the honor of serving as a delegate to three National Republican Conventions – helping to nominate George W. Bush twice and John McCain once.
Jeanne's greatest joys were her husband, Clair, her sons, Eric and Doug, and their children, Alexandra, Meredith and Wilson. Her retirement years were filled with attending, participating and organizing the activities of her grandchildren – from their births and through all of the milestones of their young lives. She was a concerned and active grandparent, remembering all holidays and birthdays, attending almost every event she could that involved her grandchildren. She was generous with her love, her time and her advice (not always taken) and is a beloved figure for her grandchildren and a role model for them as they have grown-up.
As a spirited woman, Jeanne collected friends wherever she went and the friends she collected remained friends for life. Her life was filled from friends made 2 months ago to friends she met on her block in Reading as a child. She loved them all and they, in term, loved her. She celebrated their accomplishments for them and helped guide them when things did not go well. Jeanne could always be counted on to be the friend who answered the call and came – whether it was to celebrate or hold a hand during a tough time. She will be remembered always for the love and affection she showered on those who met her.
Next to her family and friends, Jeanne's greatest love was for Music. She held her first church organist position as a 12 year at Trinity Lutheran Church on 13th St. in Reading Pa and never fully relinquished the organist bench ever again. She was a choir director and church organist at many Lutheran and UCC churches in Berks County. Her most lasting Church post was at St. Paul's UCC in Fleetwood, PA, where she was the organist and choir director for 35 years. Upon her retirement, she was elected organist emeritus and in her retirement continued to act as supply organist for St. Paul's and as a member of the Choir. In addition to being a public school music teacher and church choir director and organist, Jeanne also taught voice and piano to countless students at her home in Fleetwood. Her house was always filled with music and students waiting for their lessons. She was a warm and insightful teacher and many of her music students have continued to perform as musicians or have gone on to careers in music. Jeanne always made time to assist a student in preparation for a concert or a try-out – often long after they had ceased taking lessons from her.

Jeanne was a woman of great faith and belief. Church, faith and a reliance on the spiritual solace of her Christianity brought her great comfort throughout her life and most especially as she neared the end of that life. A member of St. Paul's UCC in Fleetwood, she was a regular congregant and member of the church. She and her husband were generous donors and active participants in the life of the Church and its members.

A celebration of the life of Jeanne Noll and a memorial service will be held at St. Paul's UCC on April 27, 2013 at 11:00. There will be a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be sent either to the General Music Fund of the St. Paul's UCC, Fleetwood, or to a newly established scholarship fund at Lebanon Valley College – the Jeanne C. Noll Scholarship fund for Keyboard