Janet Lee Noonan

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Janet Noonan was a blessing to all who were near. She accomplished a great many things and did so many of the things she loved, but what made these experiences so extraordinary was sharing them with the ones she loved. Janet was deeply devoted to her family, and it was easy to see that her greatest joy was in becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother. Life will never be the same without her here, but she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts. Life during the 1930s was anything but easy as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, the unemployment rate soared, and there were few who didn't feel the stress and strain of the time. Although things were looking better as the decade drew to a close, there were still countless obstacles to overcome. Amidst this eventful time was the year 1939 when David and Hazel (Mandoka) Mackety were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as the beauty of spring began to appear on the horizon that March. Their wait was finally over on March 30th when the baby girl they named Janet Lee drew her first breath. She was the oldest of four as she was raised in the family home alongside her siblings, Jim, Ann, and Lynne. Ther family was very proud of their heritage and being members of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Pine Creek Reservation. Janet's father worked at Clark Equipment while her mother was a nurse. In many ways she was a young girl of her generation. She attended local schools, and Janet went on to graduate from Athens High School in 1957. As a young woman, Janet was eager for all that life had in store. She went to nursing school, and she then made a career in nursing. Over the years she worked for a doctor in Athens and then at several hospitals in the area. In addition, Janet was blessed with the birth of four children including Leah, Albert, Scott, and Marilyn. Life was forever changed for Janet when she met Vincent Noonan in Vicksburg while she was working at the hospital and he worked for the local ambulance company on the side. They began dating, and with a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Janet and Vincent were married on September 15, 1987. Vincent brought four adult children into their marriage, Anthony, Jo, Ron, and Polly. Janet loved Arizona, and during their retirement years they lived there for five years, then became snowbirds who spent the season there. After another five years of being snowbirds, they finally returned home to be with their family full-time. There was nothing Janet loved more than being with her family, and she smiled the biggest smile whenever she saw her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Throughout her life Janet was someone who had many interests. She was faithful, and her strong faith was such an inspiration to all who were near and she loved her women's Bible study groups. Janet was so proud of her husband's art work and he was happy to oblige in her many painting requests. An outdoor lover, she loved flowers and gardening, and she also loved watching the birds in her many bird feeders. All who knew Janet Noonan would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was as kind and generous as they come with a heart that beat to love others without condition. Janet was genuine in her relationships, and she was always there for her friends and loved ones in ways both great and small. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed. Janet L. Noonan, of Vicksburg passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2019 at the age of 80. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Vincent; four children: Leah (Curt) Wiser, of Kalamazoo; Albert Sprague, of Kalamazoo; Scott (Mary) Sprague, of Wayland; Marilyn (Larry) Schmidt, of Portage; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She is also survived by her stepchildren: Anthony (Carrie) Noonan, of FL; Jo (Terry) Heath, of Vicksburg; Ron (Vicki) Noonan, of Marcellus; Polly Noonan, of FL; two sisters: Ann Mackety, of Tekonsha; Lynne Guess, of Athens; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents: David and Hazel Mackety; one brother: Jim Mackety. The family will receive friends and family on Wednesday from 4pm to 7pm, at the McCowen & Secord Family Funeral Home, Rupert-Durham Chapel, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). The funeral service will be held on Thursday 11am at the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Tribe Pine Creek Reservation, 2221 1 ½ Mile Road, Fulton. Please visit Janet's webpage at www.mccowensecord.com where you can sign the guestbook, and share a memory. Those who wish may make contributions to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan.