Shawn Michelle Noel

 April 26, 1950 – December 27, 2023 @ 73

Shawn “Shawnie” M. Noel - Teacher, Gardner, Love for Children.

On December 20, 2023, Shawn M. Noel had a severe medical event that took her life on December 27, 2023.

Shawn was born on April 26, 1950, in Sacramento, CA to the late Arnold “Pappy” Clement Noel and Marjorie “Nonnie” Aurelia (Cameron) Noel. The family moved to Alexandria, VA where Shawn grew up with her half-sister Claudia Frazier and brothers Trace Noel and Mycal Noel.

Shawn graduated from T.C. Williams High School in 1968 and then furthered her education at Bethel University, McKenzie, TN with a degree in Education. Shawn would return to T.C. Williams where she taught Physical Education and was the coach for the girls’ soccer and field hockey teams. She continued to follow some of the team members through Facebook as they matured into “wonderful women”. Their relationship remained paramount to Shawn.

Shawn would later teach PE at Maury Elementary where she flourished with the “little ones”, they too became her children. She received the Agnes Meyer Award for Teaching through the Alexandria, VA School District.

Shawn retired to Bethany Beach, DE where she would eventually meet the love of her life, Alicia Miller. Shawn then moved to Lewes, DE where she and her partner/wife would spend 22 years of a happy fun-loving life together with family, friends, and their animals. Shawn loved her cats and was dedicated to helping the feral cat population through Coastal Cat Rescue. Shawn fell in love with Alicia’s dog Jack and would raise together their dog London until August 8, 2023. Shawnie had a “green thumb” when it came to our flower gardens. Often our neighbor Pete would pick her brain about flowers for his yard! Shawnie also tended to the flower gardens and landscape at church.

In addition to her parents, Shawn was preceded in death by her half-sister Claudia Frazier and brother Trace Noel. Shawnie is survived by her brother Mycal Noel (Maria), sister-in-law Edith Appleton and former sisters-in-law, Paige, and Janet. Ah and the precious ones she was instrumental in giving guidance as they grew. Her nephews Cameron (Connor) and Caleb (Stacey), her niece Chelsea (Erik), grandnieces Cadence and Charlize. Plus, the additional tribe of Kiki, Marcus, and Bentley.

Last, but certainly not least, Shawn leaves her loving wife and life partner Alicia. Alicia’s family was also Shawnie’s family. They welcomed and loved her with open arms and would become lots of fun to the kids.

To celebrate Shawnie’s beacon of light and love to her family and many friends, including her church family at Metropolitan Community Church of Rehoboth Beach (MCCR) where she recently finished her 2-year term on the board of directors.

Please consider in lieu of flowers, which Shawnie would say “they belong outside in a nice flower bed” a donation in her name to the church: MCCR Rehoboth Beach DE, PO Box 191, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, or Coastal Cats, PO Box 45 Selbyville, DE 19975.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Metropolitan Community Church of Rehoboth, 19369 Plantation Rd., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.