October 11, 1915 – July 31, 2010
A native of Victoria, Phoebe was passionate about teaching and gardening. Phoebe taught high school in Victoria before being recruited into the Mathematics Department at Victoria College, now the University of Victoria, in 1945. During the thirty-three years that she taught there, she also served in many administrative capacities, including Dean of Women and Head of the Mathematics Department (twice). She was a professor emerita of the University. Phoebe was a charter member and first president of the Victoria chapter of Zonta International. With her late husband, Jack, she co-chaired the Victoria United Appeal in 1966. Always interested in gardening, she became passionate about plants (particularly hardy geraniums) after retiring from UVic. In 1990 Phoebe, along with the late George Radford, answered Dr. David Lam’s call to aid in the restoration of the gardens at Government House. She remained keenly interested in this project. Phoebe shared her love of gardening and teaching through her many lectures, magazine articles and open gardens that she hosted on her two acre property. Phoebe is predeceased by her husband Jack and her brother Wally. She is survived by daughter Sandra (Rae McDonald), cousin Kath Picha (Joe) and family, nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at McCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson and Vancouver Streets, on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. with a reception to follow in the McCall’s Family Centre. Special thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers in the Palliative Care Unit at Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
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Maureen Connauton and Rene Muirhead
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Carole Didier August 20, 2010
In 1968 the Zonta Club of Victoria was formed with Phoebe as the Charter President. For many years our club has honoured her by funding the Phoebe Noble Bursary for a woman studying horticulture at Camosun College. She was a great mentor and always made us smile with her obvious love of life and constant enthusiasm and love of learning.
Carole Didier
Service Chair – Zonta Club of Victoria
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Bruce & Marg Arnold Dear Sandra & Rae,
We are of course sad at Phoebe’s passing but would like to share a most positive early memory of Her.
I was priveledged to be one of her math students in 1950 at Victoria College, we were all seated awaiting our professor when in whirled “Professor Noble’ to announce ” My name is Professor Noble and I don’t give a dam wheather you sink or swim it’s up to you” duly shocked we were soon to discover that in fact she really did “give a dam” and was most passionate about wheather we all “sank or swam”. She was passionate about life and lived it to the fullest, we were priveledged to have known her also through you both.
Bruce & Marg
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Priscilla Lowe nee Jacobs Dear Sandra, I guess it was 2 summers ago we met up at the SMS 100th celebrations. We spoke of your mother and you told me how well she was doing. I guess we all have our appointed time and now was hers. Happy are the memories of being driven by her to riding lessons after school at Carley’s, and then years later being reprimanded by her after our Victoria College field hockey team pinched a live preserver on the Coho! She was then Dean of Women. Unfortunately, this mathematical midget did not have the opportunity to benefit from her math instructions as so many others did. Lots of love to you and your family-May you have many happy memories. love Priscilla
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Susan Evans Phoebe will always be an inspiration and an example to me for her indomitable gardening spirit. Many times when passing by I found her in her beautiful garden, and appreciated her ready welcome to come in for a walk around. I imagine that Phoebe is an icon for many gardeners who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be much missed.
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Diana Caleb I remember Mrs. Noble from my days at University of Victoria. She was a wonderful lady. She hired me to look after the girls dorm (I was the first Don in Margaret Newton Hall) in 1964. After I was married, she allowed me to “bring along my husband” and we continued to live there for another 4 yeras. After her retirement, I was able to visit her beautiful garden several times when it was included in tours. The perennial geranium is also one of my favourite flowers!!! She will always be a favourite part of my memories. Diana Caleb
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Ted Walton I attended Vic College in 1957/58 and took a first year calculus course there. I had difficulty with my own prof so sat in on Phoebe Noble’s class and she got through my thick skull. I shall never forget her “fifty cent piece” and “soup can” methods of integrating the volume of a cylinder. I also shall never forget her radiant smile as she walked briskly through the halls wearing her mortar board and with academic robes fluttering.
Although it was a brief and distant encounter, she left a refreshing and permanent memory on me. I would like to offer my condolences to her family and friends at the passing of such a special person.
Ted Walton
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Kathy Phasey Sandra & Rae:
I was saddened to return last night from vacation to see you dear mother’s obituary.Your mother touched the lives of many a green thumb, here and abroad. As you know, I have been in awe of her career and have always admired her cheery way of sharing her passion. She will be very much missed in the gardening circles.
I think you are very fortunate Sandra to have had such a strong and devoted parent and friend all these years. I know there will be a big hole left.
I will always remember Pheobe Noble’s kindness, sense of humour and wisdom. I feel blessed to have met her a few times but especially hold fond memories of her garden talks and tours.
You are in my and Nick’s thoughts. Kathy Phasey
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Linda Rhodes Hi Sandra, sorry to see that your mother passed away. I am sure you have some great gardening memories. I remember the stories you told me. Take care.
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Lynne Urquhart Dear Sandra and Rae.
Have been away and catching up with the newspapers and was shocked to see that your mom had passed away. She was a real delight and we had a lot of laughs together. Am sorry I was unable to attend the service for her.
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Hugs to you both.
Lynne
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Trisha Wainman-Wood, nee Atkinson Dear Sandra, I have never met you but wished to respond to the news in the paper about your mother. I am so sorry about your loss – my mother died ten years ago, and I still have moments of emptyness.
I studied math at Vic college under your mom. Later I consulted her re plants and gardening. She was such a great teacher – she told me to give-up in both areas!!! Which prompted me to pay attention and “dig” deeper – literally and figurately!
I am unable to attend the service or reception, but wished to join the many voices with my condolences to you.
Sincerely, Trisha WW
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Mike & Shirley Walker Sandra and Rae,
We are thinking of you and send our sincerest wishes to you and your family. Phoebe was a very special person who touched countless lives in a positive way. You have so many good memories to cherish. Take good care.
Warmest Regards, Mike & Shirl.
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Diane Leitch (nee Sawyer) May I offer my deep sympathy to all Phoebe Noble’s relatives. She was THE Mrs. Noble to me – an inspiring and wonderful math teacher in my first & second years at Victoria College 1948, 1949. I remember her always sweeping into the classroom in her black university gown and promptly covering the blackboard with chalk numbers. She made algebra and calculus so easy to understand. She was a very special teacher whom I’ll never forget .
Diane
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Sylvia and Walley Ellsay We are saddened to read of your mother’s death, Sandra. We know the two of you were very close and you will miss her terribly. Our thoughts are with you and Rae. Sylvia and Walley
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Dorothy Hartshorne Dear Sandra,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I know how much you loved her. She was an amazing woman who impacted so many people in so many positive ways. I know because I was one of them. I will always be grateful that she was a part of my life. She was my mentor and I loved her deeply.
Dan, Beau, Chantelle and I send you our condolences and love.
Dorothy
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Dawn Parker I was saddened to hear of Pheobe’s passing. I felt privaliged to known her these past few years. I’ll never forget the first time I met Pheobe, she called me to come over and we sat in the garden while I fixed up her feet, so they wouldn’t poke holes in her hand made socks. ( from her daughter ). There was also the time I helped her alittle bit with her Ipod. She amazed me, an Ipod at 91. She told me she needed to live to be at least 100 because she had so much to do.( Including finishing a book on draught resistant plants.) I rode my horse past her place on Madrona a couple of weeks ago, and I swear that was her on the riding lawn mower. I was going ride into the drive way but didn’t want to scare her or my horse. I will miss her dearly, Dawn
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Pat and Jack Sandra, we are thinking about you and all the emotions that must be racing through your mind. You have been so involved with your Mom especially over the last few years that it will be hard to let go. It sounds like she had a good life and we are so glad that we got to meet her and see her property. Take care of yourself through this difficult time. See you soon. Pat and Jack
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Helen Chesnut Dear Sandra and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Though I had been in touch with your mother only occasionally, I always held such a strong impression of her truly bright and positive presence. You are so very fortunate to have had such a mother.
– Helen Chesnut.
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Marnie Crowe I was saddened this morning to read of the passing of a fine woman and gardener. One of my recollections of Phoebe Noble was meeting her at a lecture on hardy geraniums and she was so warm and willing to share her knowledge and expertise. I had just discovered the joys of having hardy geraniums in my extensive garden and her advice to me was to “just mow them down after they had flowered and they will come back with a vengeance”. She was correct. I take comfort in having known Phoebe as a member of the gardening community. We have lost a lovely woman and a gardener that shared her knowledge so generously.
“To Plant a Garden, is to Plant Happiness”
Marnie Crowe
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Roselyn McDermid We were all fortunate to get to know Phoebe, and benefit
from her positive, funny and intelligent manner. She will
be missed. She was one of a kind and there should be
more like her, the world would be a better place.
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Rhonda Scott Sandra and Rae:
Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
All members of the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) Women’s Auxiliary
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Rhonda Scott Dear Sandra and Rae, we are so sorry for your loss of your mother. Comfort can be found in knowing that she lived a full and rewarding life. Eventually you will find solace as time goes on, by remembering her as a loving, devoted Mother and confidant and sharing your happiest memories with those you love.
Our heartfelt condolences, Rhonda and Jim Scott / Melissa Scott-Herron
Dear Sandra,
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy to you and your husband with apologies for being so long in getting in touch. Having been old Eatonian friends for over 60 years, we mourn her passing. Maureen and I tried to visit her last summer when we travelled the Island but she was away. I would very much appreciate hearing from you. You may reach me through my daughter, Maureen.
Rene Muirhead, Chilliwack, B.C.