Myrtle Noel

Myrtle Laurentia Maddox Noel was born on March 27, 1906 in Baltimore Maryland, the daughter o the late Gabriel Baxton Maddox Sr. and Mamie Walls Maddox.At an early age, Myrtle attended catholic school where she formed many happy relationships with the nuns and fellow students. She later transferred to public school and graduated from Douglass High School in February 1925.Myrtle’s favorite activities of her youth included helping out in her dad’s printing shop (Maddox Printing Company) and spending time at home with her mother who was an accomplished seamstress. Myrtle inherited her mother’s talent and love for Sewing which became a lifelong pastime. She, her sister Ruth and Aunt Sarah delighted in sewing fashionable outfits. Myrtle also enjoyed knitting and crocheting.As the oldest child in the family (after the death of her beloved sister Mildred at age nine), her household chores included keeping the kitchen straight and helping care for her siblings. Following the death of her mother when Myrtle was only seventeen, she had to assume the responsibility o helping to raise her siblings, especially the two youngest boys, Francis and Albert. They will tell you that Myrtle is the only mother they can remember having. With Myrtle’s help, her father, Aunt Sarah and maternal grandmother Sophie were able to keep the family intact. Despite the tragedy of losing her mother, Myrtle still found joy in attending dances at school and church, spending time with her friends (particularly her best friend Lolita) and “courting” with her sweetheart “Joey” (Joseph I. Noel).When Myrtle reached young adulthood, she and Joey were married and moved to Washington, D. C. where they spent the remainder of their long and happy marriage. After a brief secretarial career with the U.S. Government, Myrtle became a full-time homemaker and daycare provider. Although the Noels had no children of their own, their home was often filled with youngsters. As they helped raise their nephew Tommy, “Uncle Joe and Aunt Myrt’s” Elm Street home was always open to relatives, friends and friends children who were attending nearby Howard University. There was always food, laughter and lively conversation at 314 Elm Street!Myrtle and Joe enjoyed a very active social life in D.C. and often traveled to Baltimore, Delaware and New York to visit family and friends. Their spiritual life was as rich as their social life-both being devout Catholics and members of St. Martin’s Roman Catholic Church. Belonging to the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary at her parish church was very special to Myrtle.Although her husband provided her with a comfortable lifestyle, Myrtle never considered material things as her most treasured possession. Her faith and being at peace meant the most to her in her life. She especially enjoyed nature-taking walks, planting flowers and caring for her houseplants.Several years after the death of Joe in 1976, Myrtle moved to Baltimore to be closer to her siblings; however, she still maintained contact with her many friends in D. C.In her later years, she enjoyed life in her Hunting Ridge apartment, always busy with her sewing, watching soap operas and reading. Photographs of family and friends were displayed throughout her home. She looked forward to holiday visits from her special friends Ellie and Joan and Sunday dinners with brother, Gabe and sister-in-law, Margie.When able to, she attended St. Bernadine’s and St. William of York Catholic Churches. Her brother Frank would often administer Holy Communion to her when she could no longer attend church services.Myrtle enjoyed good health until it became necessary for her to undergo surgery in 1988. With the help of her devoted sister-in-law Letitia, she still lived independently, attending to her own personal needs until the ripe old age of 94, when failing health necessitated a move to Frederick Villa nursing Center. Letitia constantly visited Myrtle to the extent that some of the employees considered her a fellow worker. Their Myrtle became a beloved resident, with her sweet spirit, gentle manner and quick wit.On December 10, 2002 at the age of 96, Myrtle departed this life to her heavenly home. As the beloved matriarch of the Maddox family, Myrtle leaves precious memories to: her brothers, Gabriel Jr., Francis and Albert; sister, Ruth; sisters-in-law, Margie and Letitia (sister-in-law, Mary preceded her in death); brother-in-law, James M. Guy; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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Myrtle Noel

March 27, 1906 - December 10, 2002