of Kiama Downs
Passed away in Berry with her darling husband David by her side, on Thursday 7th May 2026. Loving mother and mother-in-law of Jessica and Peter, Amy and Josh. Devoted Grandma of Owen, Louie, Evan and Willow. Loved sister of Ruth. Noela will be sadly missed for her outstanding contribution to public education.
Aged 72 years
As she often said “shit happens”
At Noela’s request a private cremation has been held.
Funeral Details
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H.Parsons Funeral Directors
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Funeral Director
H.Parsons Funeral Directors
100% Australian, H.Parsons has been serving the NSW South Coast since 1893.(02) 4228 9622
info@hparsons.com.au
34 Belmore St, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500
http://www.hparsons.com.au
I remember Noela as a very professional, hard working, committed and caring educator. She encouraged, and at times coerced her students in doing what was in their best interest. She played a major leadership role during her time at the Lake. It is very sad she did not get to enjoy the retirement she deserved but Noela was never one to feel sorry for herself.
Noela was my Head Teacher when I started at Lake High. I loved working with her and learnt a lot. She was direct, kind, no nonsense and lots of fun. I can still hear the tap tap of her high heels as she wandered around the school. Gone too soon. My thoughts are with David, the girls and the rest of the family x
Noela and I taught together in Toowoomba in the early 1970s and became friends. We stayed in touch when Jessica and Amy were little, then lost contact. However, when we moved to Kiama we renewed our friendship and had some great meals, many laughs a couple of sewing bees. I will cherish the dresses she made me. Since her cancer diagnosis and lots of treatments, her courage and determination were extraordinary. She gave it her best and I will miss her a lot. Love to the family.
Joan and Ross Hughes
Noela was my Deputy Principal at Kiama High School and colleague in the TAS (Home Ec) faculty. She was always a source of wisdom in her own, no nonesense way. We lost touch over the past few years, but I always appreciated her as a mentor and friend. She will be greatly missed and my thoughts are with her family.
Noela was a force. She will be greatly missed. All my love to her loved ones at this time.
“Kua hinga he tōtara i te wao nui a Tāne” (A tōtara tree has fallen in the great forest of Tāne).
This is a Maori phrase given to a respected person or leader, and Noela was both.
Arohanui
Donna x
Noela was a dedicated and Professional Educator. Noela set high standards for herself, staff and students. Not only was Noela a respected colleague but also a good friend. Noela enjoyed adventure, fine food and wine and lived life to the fullest.
Our sincere condolences to David, Jessica, Amy and families.
Noela was by far and away the best Deputy Principal I ever worked with. She was a Deputy of the best kind. You always knoew where you stood with Noela. She upheld standards across the board and was respected for it, both by staff and students. She was a ripper!
Noela was my colleague, leader and mentor, a no-nonsense, honest, forthright and universally respected woman with a heart of gold, who never shied away from a tough conversation, always believing in the power of education and educators to bring about positive change and growth.
My thoughts are with her family.
My relationship with Noela began when she was my Leading Teacher at Lake in 1994. That relationship developed into a deep friendship over the years. I regarded her very highly as a supervisor and colleague and cherished her dearly as a friend.
Daniel and I fondly remember all the amazing dinner parties we had with David and Noela at our respective homes. (With more than the odd bottle of bubbly)
Noela and I went on an epic weight loss journey together with memorable walks(treks) around Kiama Downs and BomboBeach followed by a dip in the pool where we’d talk about anything, everything and nothing.
Noela loved a bargain, and we found them together during our regular shopping trips to Sydney.
No one will ever replace Noela as the dear friend she was. She was taken too soon.
RIP Noela
So sad to hear Noela passed away, she was one of my favourite people to work with at Kiama High School. I was working in the print room when Noela was deputy and I absolutely loved her because she made my job so easy, if she said something had to be submitted to be printed (especially the exams) by a certain time I always knew it would be there or she would chase it up. You always knew where you stood with Noela and I think that’s what made her so likeable. My thoughts are with the family, you sure will be missed Noela. RIP
We have lost one of the good ones. Her professionalism at work and her ability to leave that behind when not at work was amazing. Her support, her empathy and her cheeky sense of humour remain some of my strongest memories. That and the click, click,click of her heels as she approached. To David and the kids I send my deepest sympathy.
Sincere condolences David to you and your family. Such a welcoming straight shooter who always managed to put things into perspective regardless of where she was, sprinkled with a good sense of humour!
Principled, pragmatic and family proud. Noela was a truly good person leaving us way too soon. But for her the time was right. She will be missed.
We are a group of friends with great memories of Noela, way back when we attended Wynnum North State and High Schools. We were very sad to hear of her passing and would like to extend to David and family our deepest sympathy.
I am very sad to hear that Noela has died. She was such a loving and practical mother, wife and friend. I am also so sad for David and the kids.
Noela and I worked together at Lake. She was Leading Teacher then Deputy and in both roles she was brilliant.. she was my mentor, colleague and friend . My greatest regret is that we lost contact in the past few years. She was one of the best and she will be sadly missed. Much love to David, Jessica, Amy and their families.