May 9, 1927 – Dec. 29, 2011

Rose Mary "Roe" Noonan of Fort Myers, Fla., left us Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2011. Dr. Raymond A. Noonan, her husband of 62 years, was by her side at Hope Hospice House in Lehigh Acres, Fla., where she had been a resident since July.

    Roe was born in La Crosse on May 9, 1927, to John and Theodora Potaracke, the fourth child of eight. She met Ray on a blind date in 1947 and they were together from that day on. They married in La Crosse on Aug. 20, 1949. Roe was a resident of Waukesha until she and Ray moved to Fort Myers in 1992. She loved Florida, the Coach Light community and its residents.

She worked all of her life and was an example to her daughters, Shannon and Erin, of how to be a good mom and have your own life at the same. She supported the family while Ray pursued his dental degree and worked for him as his office manager once he got it. She was very active in the Waukesha Lioness and served as district president with pride. She loved the role she played as the wife of the international director of the Lions Club when Ray was elected to that post. She played a very special role as the Sweet Nana of Mike Noonan. She took great pride in his accomplishments and was his biggest fan.

She was an avid reader and instilled a love of reading in her girls. She was an artist and enjoyed sewing, ceramics, painting and many other crafts throughout her life. She was a wonderful friend.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Raymond A. Noonan of Fort Myers and Elroy; daughters, Shannon (Craig Smith) and Erin; and grandchildren, Nicole Rose Dzimiela (Spencer Allen), Mike Noonan and Casey Dzimiela (Claudia Sanchez). She was preceded in death by her daughter, Colleen. Memorials can be made to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation or Special Olympics-Waukesha County. These may be sent in care of the family. A memorial service will be held later in the year. If you were fortunate enough to have Roe as a wife, mother or friend, you were very fortunate.