Noella (Dionne) Marquis

Our dear mother and family matriarch, Noella Dionne Marquis, peacefully passed away in her sleep on March 4, 2024, at the age of 96, after living a long and full life. She was loved deeply by her family and friends and will be missed terribly.

Noella was born October 3, 1927, the third of seven children born to Patrick and Agnes Marquis Dionne in Frenchville, Maine. She was predeceased by Reneau Marquis, her husband of 60 years, and siblings Gerard Dionne, Irma Dumais, Muriel Thibodeau, and Gedeon Dionne. She is survived by siblings Lucille Daigle of Madawaska, Maine, and Marilyn Blanchette (Carl) of Manchester, New Hampshire; sisters-in-law Georgette Marquis of Ft. Kent, Maine, Normand Hartnett (Jim) of St Simon’s Island, Georgia, Jeannine Wahlstrom (Jim) of Laguna Niguel, California, and Jackie Chasse (Tom), of Scarborough, Maine; and numerous nieces and nephews. Noella was the mother of two daughters: Judy Gonser (Gary) of Hawthorne, California, and Joyce Marquis (Mike) of Henderson, Nevada. She was Memere to three grandchildren: Todd Gonser (Michelle) of Hawthorne, California, Tanya Gonser of Hawthorne, California, and Rachelle (Dr. Mark Donnelly) of Lithia, Florida. Noella was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren: Nathan, Olivia, and Bella Gonser, Ronin, Bronx, and Cassius Donnelly, and Lincoln and Emerson Gonser.

Noella was a woman born ahead of her time. She was brave, spirited, and welcomed any and all challenges that she encountered. At the age of sixteen, she learned Morse Code and, at age seventeen, she applied for a job with the Bangor and Aroostook (B&A) Railroad in Frenchville, Maine. When the station agent told her that the railroad did not have women working for them, her reply was, “Isn’t it about time you did!” Impressed with her tenacity, she was subsequently hired. She operated the railroad’s telegraph communications during the Second World War. In addition, her duties also required her to visit and inform local families of their family members who were either injured or killed in the war. Her father would accompany her as she delivered these heartbreaking messages with compassion and sincerity. She worked for the B&A Railroad for 12 years.

Noella had a love for travel and, in 1956, she and her husband Reneau, along with their two young daughters, left Maine to drive cross country to begin a new life in California. Noella found a job as a secretary for what was then Douglas Aircraft. She wanted to make enough money to take a trip back to Maine so her daughters could maintain their connection with extended family. Family was of the utmost importance to Noella and she ensured they took regular trips to Maine as the girls were growing up. Noella continued her employment with what became McDonnell Douglas and elevated herself to working as a statistician until she retired 28 years later in 1984.

Noella and Reneau thrived in California, buying and selling homes in Venice, Culver City, Westchester, Orange County, and Palm Desert, where they spent many happy retirement years golfing, socializing, and traveling with friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Noella’s name to the Ste. Luce Church renovation project. Ste. Luce is a small parish in Frenchville, Maine, that was founded in 1845, and needs many repairs. Donations may be sent to: Ste. Luce Renovation Project, c/o Our Lady of the Valley 309 St. Thomas Street, Suite 103 Madawaska, Maine 04756. This church is special to the Marquis family because it’s where Reneau and Noella were married in 1947, and where they renewed their marriage vows in 1997.  Noella will be buried in the Ste. Luce Cemetery next to her husband, Reneau. 

Condolences may be sent to: michaudfuneralhomes.com

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