“You’re my baby!”  Those words, spoken on December 23, 1930, introduced to the world Noella Le Claire, the last of 10 children to Louise and Eugene Le Claire in Escanaba, Michigan.  Her father was a barber and her mother was, as you would expect, a full-time mom.

Noella was part of a “sing and dance” family.  Each evening the whole family enjoyed singing, dancing, and merrymaking in the kitchen and on the porch, inviting the neighbors to join in. With a growing family, her dad bought 40 acres of land outside Escanaba on the shores of a beautiful river. They constructed a small cabin (with no electricity or running water), called “the forty” which, even today, serves as an “escape” and reunion site for the whole clan.

Noella attended St. Anne’s School. She loved our sisters and helped them with their chores. Soon thereafter, she dreamed of becoming a School Sister herself, helped, no doubt, by the examples of Sister Jocunda, her aunt, and Sister Margaret, her sister. Sister Noel was received in 1947, given the name Sister Renelle. Eventually, they were joined by Sister Carole Le Claire (me).  Together, we, the Escanaba 4, have served the people of God for over 300 years!

Noel’s first mission assignment was at Our Lady of Charity in Chicago. Then, in 1957, she was asked to go to Rome to study theology, achieving a degree from Regina Mundi.  She then used those skills to work with the aspirants at the Motherhouse and later as an instructor at St. Rita, St. Therese, and Alverno College. A big change in her life came in 1967, when Noel joined a small group of School Sisters and headed for Williamsburg, Kentucky. There she lived and worked among the poor.

What did she do? Everything! She used her musical talent to accompany the many activities she helped direct. She coordinated the religious education program for children. She trained adults for new jobs, and , if necessary, picked them up from their isolated mountain homes. She established Friendship Center in Rocky Hollow, Kentucky, and then an even bigger place in Williamsburg, Kentucky, a multipurpose center for crafts, used clothing, food, health needs, and various programs. Subsequently, Noel was hired by a priest in Boonesville, where there lived only one Catholic in the county. She actually helped build the church.

After 16 years in Kentucky, Sister Noel finally took a sabbatical by attending a special course – an update in theology, social issues and the Church of justice.

Holly Springs was her next adventure. As a social worker, she created a program called Economic Alternatives, which provided assistance with filling out job applications, writing a resume, doing a job interview, earning a high school diploma through a GED program, and more.

When Sister Noel left Holly Springs, she was confident that all was left in the capable hands of dedicated residents.  On the door of their office was posted what these workers believed: “Enjoy what you do and you’ll never have to work another day in your life.”

Then it was back to her first love, Kentucky! She became involved in the diocese’s Peace and Justice Committee. When bishops and other Church leaders asked the people what their greatest needs were, the response was, “Help us get off welfare and get us jobs.”  Noel then helped establish a program called WORK. Working together with local and national peace groups, they focused on helping welfare recipients get jobs and developing the skills needed to be successful at the work they did.

Noel, in 2005, finally moved back to Wisconsin as a parish visitor in Baraboo.  Then, allegedly “retired,” she moved back to Milwaukee and worked in several volunteer ministries: Penfield Children’s Center, St. Ben’s Prison Ministry, and Clare Terrace Homes for the Elderly. 

Many more causes drew her involvement – too many to mention. But throughout all these ministries, one activity was always present: Noel was a person of prayer. She really         believed what St. Francis said: “Do all you can to preach the gospel and, if necessary, use words.” She never lost contact with the Lord who motivated her. 

Thank you, Noel, for being an inspiration to all of us. We miss our conversations, laughing and singing world classics like “The Woodpecker Song” and “Playmates.” However, you are now enjoying a much-deserved reward in the presence of the God you served, and singing the song so familiar to your Kentucky family: “Jehovah, Alleluia, the Lord DID provide.”