Barbara J. Noonen

Barbara Jeanne Noonen (Clinton), 94, Baldwin City, KS., died February 1, 2025. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Hurley Noonen and a son, James Noonen.

Barbara was born in Fort Smith, AR, where she met her future husband, Hurley Noonen, at a high school dance at her Alma Mater, Mt. St Scholastica, an all-girls academy. He was a GI, conscripted for the Korean Incursion stationed at Ft. Chaffee in Fort Smith. They hit it off immediately and after her graduation, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, they wed. They shared 54 years together and seven children. Barbara was the sixth of seven children, so she was comfortable in a large family.

During their early marriage, they moved from Fort Smith to Fort Riley, KS, awaiting a deployment that didn’t come. After his military obligation, they moved to Iowa for a brief time before settling in the Kansas City area.

Barbara enjoyed cooking, knitting, needlepoint and solving puzzles, and reading Christian romance novels. As long as she was able, she remained active in volunteer work at the various parishes and Catholic Schools with which she associated. After Hurley’s passing, she took vows as a lay sister of the third order of St. Francis.

Every Sunday she demonstrated her joy of cooking by preparing dinner for her children and eventually their children. The large circular table that they had crafted to accommodate eight, eventually saw multiple Sunday seatings as the grandchildren graduated from highchairs. The kitchen and dining areas were always filled with the sounds of happiness.

Even though Hurley was a “steak and potatoes” guy, she loved to treat the children to the comfort foods that she had known as a child: Collard Greens, Mustard Greens, Spinach, Poke Salat, crowder peas or black-eyed peas. Occasionally she would cook a huge pot of navy beans and ham hocks, the only vegetable her husband would eat and actually look forward to. The beans were accompanied by a side of homemade corn bread. Every new year was greeted with a meal of Hoppin’ John.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, John and Mabel Clinton (Mohr), three brothers and three sisters. She was the last survivor of her generation.

She is survived by six children: Robert (Mary) Noonen, Rockton, IL; Joyce (Bill) Ardrey, Cleveland, OK; Denise Hamilton (Michael Soler), Riverside, MO; Thomas (Janet) Noonen, Overland Park, KS; Barbara [Boo] (Dave) Parks, Olathe, KS; Edward Noonen (Melissa McCormick), Lawrence, KS; 17 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.

After cremation, a requiem mass will be celebrated March 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Olathe KS, followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, The Franciscan Order or a charity of your choice.