Patricia "Pat" Noel (Plainview)

Patricia Carmel McIvor Noel, 87, passed away Friday, January 11, 2013 in Plainview, Texas. Pat was born and raised in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on July 17, 1925. She finished school in Sydney and began work in the garment industry in her uncle’s factory as a bookkeeper. It was in Sydney where she met and married Leon Noel while he was stationed with a hospital ship during World War II. Pat and Leon married December 15, 1945 in Sydney and then were rejoined in Plainview, Texas. They raised their children in Plainview, Texas where she was a lifelong member of St. Alice Catholic Church. She was active in numerous ministries in the parish as well as other social organizations such as the International Women’s Guild Chapter in Plainview. Many years later Pat would become a naturalized citizen in order for her mother to join her and her sister, both already living in Texas at the time. After studying for the citizenship exam she became fiercely patriotic and never failed to vote in subsequent elections. After her sons graduated and left home she worked as a secretary for a local insurance agent and then after retiring from that job, became a part time bartender at the local Elks’ Lodge for a number of years. She never missed work, hated to be late, and no amount of West Texas weather could prevent her from getting to her hair appointments once a week. Pat was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Leon; her parents, Robert R. and Alice (Barnett) McIvor. She leaves behind her younger sister Alice Noel of Plainview, Texas; her six sons Mike Noel and wife Anna of Sacramento, CA, Gary Noel and wife Brenda of Ft. Worth, Paul Noel and wife Teresa of Hot Springs, AR, Jim Noel of Ft. Worth, Kenny Noel of Petersburg, and Thomas Noel of Pratt, KS. Pat also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Burke, Jacob, Jeremy, Sean, Kathleen, McKenzie, Stefanie, and Bailey as well as nine great grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law and well over forty nieces and nephews. A visitation will be from 4:30 to 6 P.M. at Kornerstone Funeral Directors followed by a Rosary at 6:00 P.M. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 A.M. Monday at St. Alice Catholic Church, 1114 Houston St, Plainview. Interment will follow the funeral at Plainview Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made in Pat's memory to Area Community Hospice, Inc, Plainview, Texas.