Michelle Noonan

Michelle Noonan lived a life devoted to family, consciously nurturing her relationships with those she loved. She was a practical person who believed in saving money and choosing functional over fashion. With unwavering values, she treated others with kindness, respected her elders, and was nonjudgmental. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, Michelle was revered and cherished by many.

1955 was a year of vibrant growth, with consumerism taking off in unimaginable ways. With the sale of nearly 7.9 million cars, for the first time in history, seven out of ten families in the US owned an automobile, and new laws were created to require seat belts to be installed on all new cars. This was the year Ray Kroc built the first McDonald's, and TV dinners appeared, including the first fish fingers. Cans of Coca-Cola, Lego, Velcro, and The Mickey Mouse Club all made their debuts during this prosperous year, while Rock and Roll music continued to grow in popularity with more idols, including Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and the Comets, Chuck Berry and The Platters. This time of hope and plenty grew especially bright as Arthur and Betty (Conant) Baker welcomed their daughter Michelle into their hearts and home on February 11 in Detroit, Michigan.

Growing up in Dearborn, Michelle's early years were rooted in family values. She was the oldest of five and a proud big sister to her siblings, Cindy, Mark, Dan, and Julie. While her father worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company, her mom tended to the ever growing house. She was brought up in the Catholic faith and attended St. Alphonsus Catholic school. A natural athlete, Michelle played a lot of ball. During high school, she played sports and was a cheerleader. She would remain a sports fan her entire life.

After graduating in 1973 from St. Alphonsus High School in Dearborn, Michigan she then attended the University of Detroit. Michelle had a long career in banking where she met the love of her life, Frank Noonan, at work. After dating for two years, on July 19, 1986, Michelle and Frank married. A year later, they became parents when their son Christopher was born. The family was complete in 1989 when their son Bryan arrived. In 1990, Michelle and Frank moved from the Detroit area to Portage, Michigan, when their work transferred them to the area.

Michelle's boys were the centers of her world, and she devoted herself to their good care. She worried about the kids and ran a tight ship in the home. While Frank might say "yes," to something, the boys always had to run it through their mom. Michelle was supportive, loving, and protective. Since her sons were so close in age, she often had to be a referee between the strapping young boys. Michelle cherished family time during sporting events, especially traveling to watch the boys play ice hockey, where she was regularly teased as she covered her eyes during intense action. Michelle was so proud of the men her sons have become.

After working in the banking industry for 45 years, Michelle retired from PNC (previously National City, First of America, and City National Bank of Detroit), leaving as Vice President of Regulatory Compliance specializing in Retail Banking.

Michelle was all about family, which was even more of a delight when it grew to include grandchildren. She found joy in tending to her flower garden, reading, relaxing at home by the pool, and vacationing in Suttons Bay. She cheered on the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings and, as a season ticket holder, enjoyed many football games at the University of Michigan. Michelle had a special place in her heart for animals and was often found with her dog cuddled on her lap. Whether listening to her favorite Motown, Beatles, Journey, Adele, and Kenny G songs or enjoying a good fiction read, Michelle enjoyed life's simple pleasures.

At every turn, Michelle chose to center herself on love and kindness. This is her beautiful legacy that we will proudly carry forward. Whenever we greet a stranger as a friend, lend a hand to someone in need, cheer on our loved ones' endeavors, and enjoy treasured time with family, we celebrate the many ways Michelle gifted our lives. In this way, we keep her spirit alive and inspiring others as she so inspired us.

Michelle Ann (Baker) Noonan, beloved wife of Frank R. Noonan and loving mother of Christopher (Alyssa) Noonan and Bryan Noonan, died at home peacefully at age 68 on July 14th after a long journey with Alzheimer's dementia. She was the cherished grandmother of Lydia, Brooks, Ollie, and Zeke; the dear daughter of Arthur Baker and the late Betty (Conant) Baker; the devoted sister of Cindy (John) Eckenrode, Mark (Julie) Baker, Dan (Lisa) Baker, and Julie (Victor) Rosinski. Her in-laws included Lindsay Noonan McAuliffe (Bob Reisner), Lucy Noonan, and Charlie (Nancy) Noonan. Michelle is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation where food, drinks, and stories will be shared on Wednesday, July 19, from 4–7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Visitation will also be held on Thursday from 4–7 PM at the Stanley Turowski Funeral Home, 25509 W. Warren, Dearborn Heights (313) 562-5120; Michelle will lie in state at the church 30 minutes prior to Mass which will be held at 11 AM on Friday, July 21, 2023, at St. Sabina Catholic Church, 25605 Ann Arbor Trail, Dearborn Heights. Visit Michelle's webpage BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign her guestbook. Due to the outstanding care provided, the family asks that donations be made in Michelle's honor to Centrica Care Navigators, formerly Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan on their website at https://centricacare.org/giving or by using the envelopes available at her service.