By Lynn R. Mitchell
Sometimes my Richmond world, where I grew up and where parents and extended family lives, collides with my Shenandoah Valley world, where my family has called home the past 19 years. A death this weekend brought the two together.
My RVA sister’s good friend and neighbor Beth lost her mother Friday. Beth’s son Austin, SWAC Niece’s close childhood friend, lost his grandmother. I knew their mother/grandmother lived in Waynesboro. The obituary told the rest of the story. She had been political, and she had worked as Delegate Pete Giesen’s legislative aide for years in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s before I moved to the area. She was a part of Virginia’s political history.
Our condolences to Beth, Austin, and the entire family of June Noell.
June Noell
June R. DeBoer Noell, 89
Waynesboro, Virginia
June R. DeBoer Noell, 89, of Waynesboro, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2015 at Summit Square in Waynesboro. She was born in Lexington, VA on May 4, 1926, daughter of the late Emmett and Maude Reynolds.
June was a woman of deep faith, who loved Waynesboro First Baptist Church, of which she was a long time member. She worked as a legislative aide to Delegate A.R. “Pete” Giesen, Jr. from the mid 1970’s until the early 1990’s. June loved politics and government, and was a supporter of the Republican Party. A sign hung in her kitchen that said, “We do not rent rooms to Democrats.”
She was a member of the Waynesboro Women’s Club, where she held numerous leadership positions. June loved and supported local arts and music in Waynesboro and was eagerly anticipating the reopening of the Wayne Theater. Her last few meals included her favorites, popcorn, tomatoes, and chocolate milkshakes. June loved life and the joy that laughter brings.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Pete DeBoer; her second husband, Jesse Noel; a son, David DeBoer, Sr., 2 sisters, 1 brother; and her dearest friends, Johnny and Lois Blackburn.
She is survived by her son, Danny DeBoer, Jr. and wife Catherine of Richmond; daughter Beth DeBoer Pearce and husband Tom of Richmond; grandchildren Austin and Ben Pearce, Jacob DeBoer, Kelly Shields and husband Tyler, Katie DeBoer, David DeBoer, Jr. and Stephanie; great grandchildren Logan Shields, Lauren Shields, Leah DeBoer, and Joshua DeBoer; daughter in law, Jackie DeBoer; niece and nephews, Tim, Debbie, Tom, and Jimmy; and her dearest friends’ children, Diana and Alisa, as well as other dear, loving friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11 A.M. Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at First Baptist Church with Rev. J. Barrett Owen officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren. A private burial will take place at an earlier time.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Monday, August 17, 2015 at McDow Funeral Home. The family would like to thank the staff, nurses, and aids of Summit Square for their kind and loving care. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 301 S. Wayne Ave. Waynesboro, VA 22980 or the Wayne Theater Alliance, P.O. Box 1821, Waynesboro, VA 22980. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com
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