Noelle Schmutz Jackson

March 30, 1936 - October 20, 2023

Noelle was born in Glendale, California to loving parents, Zula and Menno Schmutz. She spent most of her childhood in South Pasadena. Noelle fondly remembered driving trips with her family, covering much of the western United States. This led to a lifelong love of travel which she pursued with vigor once retired.

Noelle attended South Pasadena - San Marino High School and graduated in 1953. The next fall Noelle, along with many of her classmates enrolled in Stanford University. One cherished memory from her college years was Opening Day of Disneyland, July 1955. Noelle graduated from Stanford in 1957 with a degree in psychology. Shortly after graduation, she wed William B Jackson. They had two daughters, Patricia and Lisa. The young family's travel included numerous camping trips with Bill and Noelle chaperoning the church's high school group. Noelle also treasured the Jackson's Lake Michigan summer home. As an only child herself, she was somewhat overwhelmed by five sisters-in-law, but she loved the visits.

Noelle always enjoyed reading and learning due to her parent's encouragement, and hoped she could instill similar interests in her daughters. She earned advanced degrees from both California State University, Los Angeles, and UCLA in Medieval History. She completed much of her research at the Henry E Huntington Library, Art Gallery and Botanical Gardens as a reader. Her time at the Huntington also enabled her to relish another one of her passions - playing bridge. Her father often played bridge at the Masonic Temple and took his daughter along to observe and sometimes to play. By the time Noelle arrived at Stanford, she was a most proficient player and continued to lay as often as she could.

It turns out that many Huntington researchers and staff were avid bridge players playing games at lunch in the staff cafeteria. Noelle quickly became a regular in these hour long tournaments. Ultimately, her participation led to a job offer as associate director of reader services from the Huntington's Director who noted, "We need a permanent lunch time fourth!" Noelle remained in this position for over a decade playing bridge during most lunch hours. Her daughters knew that while they could certainly call their mother at work, it was best to avoid doing so during lunch. A notable lunch time game gave Noelle the opportunity to play with renowned bridge columnist, Alfred Sheinwold. In recognition of a record scoring game, Noelle was chosen to partner with Sheinwold for his visiting game.

Shortly after the birth of her two grandsons in 1993 and 1995, Noelle left her beloved California to move to Denver, Colorado for the rest of her life. She enjoyed taking on new activities such as volunteering with the Daughters of the American Revolution, Junior Symphony Guild, the Assistance League, the Molly Brown House, and a new PEO chapter. And, of course she found new bridge partners. After working all her adult life, diving into volunteer work let the quiet and studious Noelle embrace her more creative side and her wonderful, bold, and colorful style! Noelle will be long remembered for her bright nails and the bigger the better earrings. If a fantastic outfit came from a local thrift store, it was that much better!

She was frequently found on the sidelines of a basketball court or a football field as her grandsons and many of their friends honed their athletic skills.  Noelle's pride in her daughters and her grandsons was fierce and seemingly infinite. She loved traveling with them, recommending and discussing books with them, trying new foods and other adventures with all of them.

Noelle passed away in the memory care unit of MorningStar at Ridgegate with support from Denver Hospice. Noelle is survived by daughters Patricia (Trish) Jackson and her husband, Will Millard, of Norwich, Vermont and LIsa Jackson Kipp and her husband, Jeffery, and two grandsons, all of Denver, Colorado.

Horwan & McConaty, October 23, 2023