Grace Angela Noel, 92 of Takoma Park, MD, passed away at her home on June 12th, 2024.

Grace was a beloved grandmother, mother, sister, aunt and friend.  She was born on October 26th, 1931, in Grenada, West Indies, to father, Elarius Noel and mother, Hortense (Darius). She was the ninth of ten siblings. Her early years were spent like many of her peers, focused on her studies, performing household duties and enjoying shared hobbies with her many brothers and sisters.

Yet even at an early age, she was known to contemplate life's deeper questions, exploring the realities of God and His purposes. This quest would become a recurring theme and a constant driver throughout her life.

An agile mind and a love of learning led Grace to gravitate toward the field of education, becoming a primary school teacher at the tender age of 14. Grace subsequently earned her General Certificate of Education (the equivalent of a Bachelor of Arts) from Cambridge University, London, England in 1959. She would go on to use her credentials as an educator at the Pomme Rose School, where former students, even many decades later, would share fond memories of her engaging yet challenging teaching style.

Grace married in1960 and migrated to the United States in 1971 with her children, Lenore, Peter, and Abigail; overcoming the unique challenges presented by an international relocation. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1984.

The rigors of adapting to a new life in a new country while meeting the demands of motherhood failed to thwart Grace's passion for life-long learning. As a resident of The District of Columbia, and later of Prince George's County Maryland, her academic and professional pursuits included membership in The Literacy Council of Prince George's County, successful completion of Georgetown University Hospital's technical electroencephalograph program, and a Laubach Literacy Action certification.

Grace's persistent exploration of existential themes resulted in her becoming a prolific writer. She authored several essays covering a variety of topics - establishing an expansive library in the process. Her exploration of the human condition, the world, and her place in it, later inspired her to pen a 32,000-word unpublished manuscript in which she examined the roots of economic injustice, the history of governments, and major world cultures and religions. In it she shares a lifetime of profound wisdom and insights into those deep truths probed since early childhood.

In later years, the intense study of Christianity, its relationship to the Land of Israel and the Jewish people, caused her to develop a deep respect for God's perspective on The Holy Land and His Chosen People, and to align her spiritual outlook with that of the Messianic faith.

To have truly known Grace, was to have discovered over and over again, the dynamic force of nature beneath her petite stature and quiet, unassuming temperament. She was a woman of sound character; poised, principled, peace-loving, and passionate. It was personal conviction that compelled her to challenge accepted norms and hold leaders within the Faith community to a high standard - respectfully but fearlessly speaking truth to power and holding those in positions of authority accountable as it pertained to doctrine and theology.

When not challenging the status quo, Grace's life consisted of activities that feed the soul. She enjoyed music across multiple genres. Her eclectic tastes played no small role in her children's musical sensibilities. She sang beautifully - leading choirs or singing hymns quietly around our home. Her delicate voice filling the air was a source of wonder and peace then, and a comforting memory now. Borrowing from a tradition of ingenuity, skilled craftmanship, artistry and creativity, she played more than one musical instrument, was a talented seamstress and crafter, and later added painting, sketching, and pottery to her list of interests. Apart from a bout with glaucoma later in life in which her sight was thankfully preserved, Grace was the picture of health for over nine decades.

There was no atmosphere lacking in meaningful conversation, rapier wit, and laughter in Grace's presence. Her children and grandchildren were blessed to have experienced her as teacher, sage, example, warrior, comedienne, artist, homemaker, musician, chef, educator, confidant, and friend; easily commanding our love, honor, and respect - simply by being. Grace took equal delight in her family's accomplishments and celebrated their efforts great or small. She was indeed the blessing of God's Grace in our lives – and her own life, a journey beyond the realm of ordinary expectations.

Grace was predeceased by her parents, her siblings Carmichael, Nestor, Anne (Whiteman), Roy "Nero", Petlyn, Lynton, and Christina (Bleasdille), and grandson Donnell Owens. She is survived by daughter Lenore (Thomas) Barbato, son Peter (Regina) Hypolite, daughter Abigail (David) Martin, grandsons Brandon (Barbara) Johnson, Jared Johnson, Will Williams, granddaughter Alexa Martin, great-grandsons Bryce Johnson and Damian Williams; by brother Norton Noel and sister Irma Hortensia Francis (Grenada, West Indies), and by many nieces, nephews, and friends along the way.

An intimate homegoing observance will be held at sea in Lewes, Delaware on Monday July 22nd. Special Thanks to the Hubbard & Collins Funeral Homes and to New England Burials at Sea.

Mom, your entire life echoed this sentiment "For to me, life is the Messiah, and death is gain." (Phillipians 1:21). And we are eternally grateful to know that now you are with The Father and in the company of angels in heaven, the only home befitting you.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Christian Eye Ministry, committed to improving eye care in Africa and Central America with a focus on eye diseases common to those populations.