Joan Nancy Ney Noel, 94 of Elizabethtown, passed away January 29, 2023 at Helmwood Nursing Home. She was born in Piney Fork Ohio, in her early school years she was a telephone operator in Saint Clairsville, Ohio, she waitressed at Ogleby Park as she completed her Bachelor Degree from Ohio State University. Moving to Elizabethtown in 1951 with husband, Dr. Mike Noel, as he set up his practice as an Optometrist, she taught English and History at Glendale High School. Joan was always very active serving in the community; she loved nature and enjoyed traveling all over the world, she loved bird watching, she was an avid golfer once obtaining a "hole in one". She enjoyed playing bridge, reading, and traveling with Elizabethtown Woman's Club, and hosting wonderful parties during the Heartland Festival as the hot air balloons set up in her yard that over looked Freeman Lake Park. She was a Founding Board Member for Greenspace, the organization that works with the city of Elizabethtown to develop the greenbelt system of trails and parks. She received a certificate of appreciation for 50-plus years as an outstanding and devoted member of the League of Women Voters and was instrumental in obtaining the first voting machines for Elizabethtown. She was active in the Lincoln Trail chapter of the National Audubon Society and was vice president of the Kentucky Chapter. Joan was honored in State Earth Day Ceremonies and in Frankfort for her outstanding commitment to the state's environment as she served on a water-regulations subcommittee for the Environmental Quality Commission. Joan was a member of St James Catholic Church, where she had at one time enjoyed singing in the choir. Preceded in death by her parents Simon Fredrick & Anna Catherine Ney, her loving husband of 46 years, Dr. Michael J Noel, three brothers, Charles Ney, Lawrence Ney, George Ney and two sisters, Loraine Carroll and Mary Elizabeth Krutko Joan is survived by one brother Richard Ney (Sue), of Sylvania, Ohio; 2 sons, Michael L Noel (Hilda) and Martin Noel (Kathie); known as "Ninny" to 5 beloved grandchildren, Jennifer Noel, Sarah Hedrick (Ben) Michael Noel (Megan), Beth Tinnell (Robby), Chris Parker (Shawn) and 16 great grandchildren. The funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. Burial follows at St James Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. and continue after 9 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed online at www.brownfuneral.com.

Visitation:

Thursday, February 2, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Brown Funeral Home

Service:

Friday, February 3, 2023 starting at 11:00 AM
Brown Funeral Home