Obituary of Carole Noble

Carole Noble’s charm, warmth, and energy made her larger than life. She was a source of light, love, humour and support to all who knew her, in particular her family and friends. All who loved her are profoundly shocked and saddened by her passing, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, Feb. 26, in Chatham. Carole was 77. Carole was born in 1937, the youngest daughter of Earle and Myrtle Fraser. She had one sister, Arlene, born in 1935. The family lived in Saint Catharines, Ont., and Toronto, where Earle worked as a lineman for Ontario Hydro, and later Forest Hill Hydro, following his service in the Second World War. Carole and Arlene both attended Leaside High and pursued early studies in music, eventually earning their A.R.C.T. (Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto) Grade Ten designations. Carole had the rare gift of perfect pitch. Though versed in music theory she could learn any tune by ear, and could unerringly name any note after hearing it once. The piano was her instrument, but she also played the violin and for a time the classical guitar. She loved all styles of music. Over the years the Noble home was frequently the site of jam sessions, sing-alongs and impromptu concerts. Like Jim, her husband, Carole was a friend to musicians and artists, which made their home a creative, lively and happy milieu. She made a point of fostering and encouraging creativity in others. Many aspiring musicians benefited from her mentorship over the years. Carole originally had intended to become a nurse, and studied for a time at the University of Toronto’s School of Nursing. She later moved to U of T’s Victoria College, earning a B.A. in music and English, and pursued a career in education. It was while working as a teacher at Tecumseh high school, in 1962, that she met James N. Noble, her soul mate, life-long love and best friend. Though also a teacher and later an administrator, Jim was also a pilot and elite competitive jumper, whom Carole conspired to meet by learning to parachute. After just four jumps, during which she landed each time like “a sack of potatoes,” according to family legend, Jim informed Carole that they could only date if she gave up the sport, as he feared she would not survive. She did and they did, and fell in love. They married in 1963. Daughter Kim was born in 1964, followed by a second daughter Thames Lee. In the late 1960s the young family spent many happy hours on and around airfields, part of a gliding, flying and parachute community that thrived at Chatham airport in those years. By the 1980s Jim was principal at Tecumseh High School, and Carole was teaching English as a second language at St. Clair College. Some of her students took to calling her “Carrot,” a nickname adopted by Jim with great delight. It was during those years that Nobles became avid skiers. Carole loved the fun and festivity of après ski and happy hour, nearly as much as the skiing itself. Blue Mountain in Collingwood was her destination of choice. After an afternoon on the slopes. Carole and friends would retire to Jozo’s, the Mountain’s liveliest night spot at that time, and enjoy a cocktail, while the kids continued to ski until the very last possible moment. Afterwards all would retire to the Den Tandt farmhouse near Owen Sound, for tobogganing, a meal and often a party, just for the sake of having one. Those were very happy times. Carole always loved the Noble family home on River Road, overlooking the Thames River. But her spiritual home was the cottage on Sugar Lake in Muskoka, built by her dad in the late 1940s. It was one of the first cabins on the lake, near Orrville, Ont., and was put together mainly from lumber that Earle had found second-hand, and hauled in by horse-drawn cart. The wood stove was delivered to Orrville by rail. The cabin had one luxury, a large picture window, offering a view of the pristine lake. Earle wired the cottage for electricity and collected bulbs to light it, fully expecting Hydro to arrive any moment. That did eventually happen - but not until 2011. Every summer and spare moment, Carole spent at her beloved cottage. Days were for swimming or paddling or reading, evenings for chatting with family, friends or neighbours by the fireside, or the light of a kerosene lantern. In the late 1970s Carole and Jim inaugurated the Sugar Lake Regatta, a tongue-in-cheek tournament in which any wind-powered vessel, however suspect, could enter. The participants were the best of friends but the competition was fierce. The Regatta was the highlight of the summer season on the lake for many years. In latter years Carole continued to draw sustenance from the cottage and the lake, often going there for restoration and reflection. She loved the sound of loons calling across the water at dusk. Carole and Jim shared a remarkable, rare and enduring love. They were best friends for 50 years. When Jim fell ill with Alzheimer’s, she was comforted enormously by the love of her daughters and grand-daughters, and of her extended family and lifelong friends. Carole is survived by her husband, Jim; daughters Kim and Thames; granddaughters Kaeleigh, Alleigh, Rowyn and Ryleigh; and by her friends. She is missed, more than we can say.