May 8, 1956- August 5, 2022
MARY VALLEE HUGER NOONE was born on May 8, 1956, the sixth of seven children to Lucie and Bernard Huger on an 800-acre farm in St. Albans, Missouri. She was a wild child, raised on the bare back of a horse, eating fruit fresh from the tree, and napping in the tall grass. She lived her life on her own terms and was never tamed.
She spent her formative education years at the all-girls Catholic school in St. Louis, Villa Duchesne. She was a fiery and smart girl who kept the nuns on their toes. She delighted her classmates by using songs to memorize state capitals and the periodic table. While she was a good student, she always longed to be outside.
For college she went to the Nation’s Capital to study American history, jazz, and art at Georgetown University and learned how to make her own way. En route to her final year of college, she joined her college roommate Kathy Walsh’s family for a fateful wedding in Connecticut. There she was introduced to their bearded, Appalachian Trail-hiking, wildland-firefighting cousin, Bob Noone who’d hitched a ride from the Appalachian Trail in Killington, Vt. with only 400 miles remaining to finish the Trail. For Bob, from that first meeting he was wedded to her completely. For Mary, Bob was unlike anyone she had ever (or would ever) meet. She was intrigued but wasn’t one to tip her hand too early.
While writing her senior college thesis, Mary’s father died unexpectedly. In the wake of her loss, she helped her mother and siblings pack up the childhood home, and then, just before her graduation from Georgetown, she got a call from Bob Noone who had spent the previous seven months since first meeting her finishing the Trail, but, more importantly, plotting with the determined focus of a man smitten, how to ask her out for a date. It was easier said than done; it took three phone calls over the course of maybe two minutes. Mary’s first response? She was delighted to hear from him, but was busy the next night; her response to Bob’s second call 30 seconds later? She was also busy the following night; her response to Bob’s third call 90 seconds later when he asked whether she would ever be free to go on a date with him? “Sure, how about next Monday!”
It wasn’t long before she knew what Bob had known months before, that they belonged together. After graduating, Mary traveled in a VW van with her college roommate Kathy and Kathy’s sister Eileen through the great American West, which included a pit stop in California to visit Bob at law school. Ultimately joining Bob in California, Mary got to work painting houses, printing pages, and writing ad copy for outdoor equipment stores, all the while building a random stable of friends with an assortment of artists, biker chicks, magazine columnists, underground entrepreneurs, and house renovators, all of various quirky persuasions.
On August 1, 1980, the hottest day of the year in humid St. Louis, she rolled her hair up in a bun, added some baby’s breath, and married that smiley man. For their honeymoon they drove a 20-year-old Volvo station wagon, which Mary had spent the previous six months single-handedly rebuilding from the tires up to get it ready for their 8,000-mile road trip through the rain, mud, and fog to Alaska. For over 42 years their honeymoon never ended.
In 1982 Mary and Bob packed up the Volvo and moved from California to a small rental outside Carbondale where they had their first baby, Charlie. This time was magical and transformative for her. As a new mom her creative life blossomed – painting, sewing and designing with new urgency and curiosity. In the fall of 1984, they moved from Carbondale to Glenwood Springs, at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers, and, together, turned a beige house purple. This home became a vibrant reflection of her: bright, alive, chaotic and always open. Here she found her people. And those same creative, weird, and passionate people had been waiting for her. In that astounding community, she partnered with Bob in all things imaginable, raised her kids, threw parties, danced maniacally, dyed fabric, rode horses, painted murals, climbed mountains, generously distributed full-body hugs to friends and strangers alike, and never looked back.
Not long afterwards, Vallee and Claire, joined Bob, Mary, and Charlie in their new home. She taught them along with their brother Charlie how to mix colors on a palate, how to bake a dense chocolate cake without using a measuring cup, how to sing loudly, and how to dunk in cool spring runoff. As a mom, as in all things, she radiated spontaneity, adventure, and wonder.
It was in that community of Glenwood Springs, that she flourished. In 1985, with two kids under the age of two, Mary and Bob decided on a whim to start the Glenwood Springs Summer of Jazz, the first free, all volunteer, outdoor, community-centered multi-week summer concert series to be established in Colorado. For over 25 years and more than 200 concerts, they brought world class musicians like Sonny Rollins, Hugh Masekela, Allen Toussaint, Trombone Shorty, McCoy Tyner and Jon Cleary to our small mountain town.
Then, at the young age of thirty-five, with a growing family, her hands began to tremble. Her body began to shake, muscles clench, and gait wobble. On a cold February day at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, she was given the final diagnosis of Parkinson’s, a disease with a rapid and total decline. She and Bob were told by the Clinic’s doctors that it would be wise to begin making preparations for what they were certain would be a medical necessity within two years: her permanent move into a full time nursing home facility.
While driving home from the Mayo Clinic, Bob and Mary decided that if nothing else, the doctors’ recommended “preparations” would be fun and adventurous. Shortly after arriving home, they packed up their three children (then aged 2, 5, and 7), two dogs, tents, sleeping bags and surfboards and drove down the length of Baja California, Mexico. For weeks they camped under the stars on sandy beaches, drove down desert dirt roads, mumbled through broken Spanish, and made every day an adventure.
But contrary to her neurologists’ dire predictions, the worst didn’t come, so she carried on. Her life became the ultimate last hurrah.
She kept laughing, dancing, rafting, fundraising, hustling, and keeping the world turning. Amazingly, 20 years after she first began shaking, she found hope in the promising new surgical technique being pioneered at the Anschutz Medical Center in Denver, Deep Brain Stimulation surgery. Through the power of science, she became the bionic woman. In one of the best results of the surgery, she lived another 13 years with partial control of her Parkinson’s disease. She was reborn.
She kept stumbling forward, ever forward, hoping that, knowing that she would fall into something better. It is that determined optimism that kept her going through her first round of cancer treatments, radiation, chemotherapy, and speech therapy in 2018.
It was that same spirit that kept her going after receiving a new diagnosis of terminal cancer in 2021. That same spirit of hope, joy and humor helped her move with grace through her final days with Parkinson’s and cancer and to embark upon her ultimate adventure, death.
In her 66 years on this planet, she raised three children who, like her, are each uniquely wild, adventurous, and untamed. She loved Bob to the bone and together they thrived. She painted mountains, rivers, flowers, dogs, and forests in colors she taught us all to see. She was well loved and loved well.
It is safe to say that Mary Vallee Huger Noone was born, lived, and died, wild. She moved in ways all her own and never stopped creating. As a natural continuation of her life and values, she chose to have her physical body recomposed, or composted. In the spring, she will be returned to her family in the form of lush soil in which they will grow wildflowers and blossoming trees in the colors of Mary. Her Deep Brain Stimulator that gave her 13 extra years here, will be donated to another Parkinson’s patient in need of a jolt.
Mary is survived by her husband Bob, the second love of her life, Keith Richards, her son Charlie and daughters Vallee and Claire; brothers Greg Huger and Ray Huger, sisters Cynthian Huger and Catherine von Furstenberg Dussmann and many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, in-laws and cousins too numerous to mention but who know they were loved by her. She was predeceased by her parents, Bernard J. and Lucie F. Huger, her sister Lucie Huger Reis, her brother Bernard C. Huger, her loving horse, Virginia, her devoted canine sidekicks Cleo and Zada, and various other cats, dogs, birds, hamsters and other critters, all of whom she loved as full-on blood relatives.
Mark Your Calendars! All are invited to an informal celebration of Mary’s life scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Mary’s second home, the Two Rivers Park Bandshell at Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs. – Rain or Shine –Summer of Jazz Rules will be in play: No glass, no pets(!), but for those so inclined, please bring a potluck dessert to fortify Mary’s spirit in her future travels.
Her family thanks each of her friends, family, doctors, neighbors, and community members who played a role in making her life and death meaningful and beautiful. In honor of Mary, stay wild. Listen to the music on “loud,” dunk in the river with your dogs, try to capture a sunset in bold hues, and bake without a recipe. Laissez les bons temps rouler!! – let the good times roll!
Such a beautiful tribute and so true to this life-loving soul! We will be at Two Rivers to celebrate Mary!
This beautiful tribute brought me to tears. Thank you. Mary Noone will be missed. I will miss her infectious smile. She was amazing, even with all she was going through later in her life regarding her health, she did not give up. She still managed to paint more beautiful paintings and keep smiling and dancing! Sending love and thoughts to all of her family.
I only knew her a short time
(GWS Arts and Culture Board)
But was drawn to her Art and
spirit of commitment to whatever
she was undertaking.
I wish I had known her longer but
I ‘m sure glad I was alive the same
time she was.
What a treasure…
Liz Caris
I’m beyond grateful to know such a friend in this remarkable life. Equally grateful to have been granted the gift to bid farewell. ❤️
Love you to the moon and back sweet Mary! A blessing you were and continue to be in our lives. Thank you for all the joy and love you brought into our hearts and lives. Forever we will sing and dance in the mountains with you in our hearts!
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman. She will
live on in our hearts and souls. Blessings dear family— as you remember this smile provoking woman— this matriarch extraordinaire— this lover of family and friends. W+
Beautiful words for a remarkable woman ,person and all round human being I was blessed to briefly know her and you guys much love
The most beautiful, inspiring and moving piece on how to life a life in COLOR. Her legacy is pure joy and blessings. All our love.
All your paintings seemed to be signed, love Mary
Thank you Bob for such a beautiful tribute to dear Mary! Thanks for being her magic partner who helped her navigate the white water and calm in such grand loving style.
I miss you old friend…
Mary, it was fun riding horses with you at the farm in St. Albans. You wild thing, you always made me laugh. And camping trips, and the NC beach when all the kids were little.
What a beautiful tribute, and with such grace your family releases you.
But Mary will bloom again, that’s for sure.
Wild, adventurous, untamed … Forever Mary. Thank you for sharing your purpleness with all of us. ?☮️
Such a beautiful tribute to Mary —our beloved fourth sister . She was a force and an inspiration .to live large .-love. joyfully and always look for the bright and colorful beauty that surrounds us.
Oh My! So, Mary! What a tribute that is just who Mary was to the community! The White’s love the Noone’s!
Such a beautiful tribute to the most magical spirit i have ever known. Being near Mary, picking up her vibe is one of the fondest memories I hold of my time spent in Glenwood. She will be forever remembered
Beautiful tribute to a great woman and family. Nice to know of her so much more through this sharing of life, times, family and love.
Oh, Mary. What a privilege, joy and gift of Grace to know you and call you a friend.
This tribute is so perfect. Thank you, Bob, for sharing her with all of us. I love all your family.
I am so grateful to have known Mary, my hero in art and in life.
Diane Kenney
In this world, I hope to say, “I knew all the right people”, and Mary was one of them.
What an incredible honoring of such a special lady! Thank you, Bob. Mary touched so many lives in ways she will never know. I just loved
Her magic expression of who she was through her amazing art. Our town was so blessed to have her beautiful spirit. She will be forever loved ❤️
Beautiful inspiring tribute! Love you Charley, your wonderful family and the wildness y’all inspire. Peace and respect. – johny
Mary, We’ll always have the jazz fest. Love and miss you.
What a powerful embrace of Mary and your family. Thank you for this lovely tribute. Xxb ✨♥️✨
I so appreciated the love and tribute to a beautiful soul and extraordinary person. She was kind, accepting and brilliant and I’ll cherish my memories of Mary forever. No one wore a scarf better.
Mary was a gift to us in our lifetime ? While we will all miss her physical presence among us, Knowing Mary, She will be sure to show her loved ones of family and friends she is still with us xoxo
Perfect tribute to someone we all loved so much. It was easy to re-member Mary while reading this. See you at 2 Rivers.
Thank you, Noones, for sharing Mary’s full history with all of us! As I think back, I’ll always remember those pumpkin carvings, that Christmas, the girls babysitting the little kids, and of course, Summer of Jazz! Thanks, Mary and family for all you’ve done for our community! It’s wonderful to think of Mary living on through wildflowers! See you at the celebration, Love from the Fifers et al!
What a great history and tribute to a wonderful person. Mary is a huge loss to her family but also her larger community family. She’s missed, but we know she’s moved to a larger dimension. Our thoughts go out to the family.
What a wonderful missive about dear Mary! Wonderful person – we should all live as she did!
Mary was one of a kind and this so captured her beautifully….her legacy lives on in all of you…Bob, Vallee, Claire and Charlie! I will always think of Mary when the flowers are a certain combination of colors!
What a beautiful, heart full tribute to the single most magic, colorful, real human I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Mary filled us all with color and light.I will miss her, forever.
Love and everything good be granted to the Noones.
I am so sorry to learn of Mary’s passing. This tribute to her written by Bob is so beautiful! I’m in tears from reading about a very special, multi-talented, and wonderful lady. Her family are all in my thoughts and prayers?. She will never be forgotten.❤️?
What a beautiful tribute to a mighty and wonderful woman. Mary was a gift to all of us who grew up in the neighborhood. I will remember her for her passion, color, cakes, and warmth. Hoping for peace for you all.
An incredible individual with an incredible Husband and combined, an incredible family. Heavens gain, Earth’s loss.
I will miss my accounting discussions every year…..she saw it as a big puzzle that she loved to work on but never could quite figure out….required to much logic and not enough creativity. She always remained positive with a smile and a hug. Lets all try this too. RIP
Your words reflect originality and color not unlike Mary’s paintings! What a team! Thank you for sharing your family story, talents, generosity, and love for the arts. Individually, and as a community we have been enriched by the Noone’s. Many thanks! We will rejoice Mary, a life well lived, with the wildflowers!
I did not know this interesting person, I’m sorry to say, but this is a most beautiful, interesting, lovely obit ever. Thank you to whoever wrote it.
My sincere condolences to the family. Mary was and is unforgettable. What a loss for the family and community at large. Peace be with you all. Aloha.
I did not have the pleasure of knowing Mary, but did have the pleasure of working professionally with her husband. After reading her obit, she was clearly one of a kind! I did see her artwork everywhere and I send peace to her family now in her passing. Fly high, Mary. I know you will..
What a gift to us all Mary has been! Her vibrant spirit, her creativity, her strength and perseverance reflect the ultimate goal of any thoughtful soul – to leave the world a better place because we were here. Her breath still lives in the air we breathe, her warm smile remains in our hearts, and her color-splashed vision enlivens our eyes and spirits. Thank you, Mary, for leaving your gifts with us!
She was indomitable….We can all aspire to such courage, but few of us ever attain it. We’re privileged to have known her.
Oh my goodness. What a fantastic light and life! I will miss visiting with Mary at the Hot Springs. She was always so fun to talk to and loved to talk about her family!
I knew Mary in Carbondale as a young mom. This is so very well – written, but more than that, it absolutely captures Mary’s essence. That essence brings us such laughter and joy to remember, and inspires us to carry it on with us, however long we may gather in its shadow. Mary, this “portrait” of you makes me laugh with its joyfulness! Peace and comfort to all Mary’s family.
This was a mighty fine rendering of Mary Noone. I just wish I had known her longer and better. You all must miss her terribly, but what a gift she was!
What a lovely tribute to such a phenomenal woman. Thank you for sharing her with us, and telling her story here. Mary was a beacon of light for us in a dark time; we always seemed to run into her exactly when we needed her perspective and encouragement. May she rest in peace, in never-ending meadows of flowers surrounded by electric mountains.
from all the Floods, Nancy, Bill, Megan, Michael, Elizabeth and Macey – what a bright wild spirit that shared with the world her way of seeing the world – in beautiful colors. Our family and this valley has been blessed with her light.
Mary joined our boxing group in 2020. Her presence set an example to all of us how to deal with the ups and downs of Parkinson Disease. She became our leader in handling the ever changing
symptoms. Always with a smile, always clam.when asked always willing to listen. She had experienced what is to come for the rest of us. We were fortunate to have her presence for the short time.
I never met Mary but I have one of her beautiful paintings in my home and will think of her always. Thanks for sharing her story.
What a wonderful tribute! I don’t know what made me decide to Google Mary today and find this notice, but as sad as it is to learn she is gone, how wonderful and affirming to know she lived her life just as I remember her 45+ years ago as my favorite Saturday night dance partner at the Georgetown Center Pub — beautiful, exuberant, full of life, spontaneous, and absolutely-above all, wild. Bless you, Mary. Will think of you next time I hear Suffragette City or Won’t Get Fooled Again and will turn the volume all the way up, sing at the top of my lungs, and dance like no one’s looking except you.
Mary, I will forever remember riding the horses in St Albans and playing Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Skiing in Aspen (Mr Green Jeans), camping under the stars, eating dinner around your parent’s dinner table, cooking with your mom, and car rides in the back of your dad’s Cadillac. I will forever remember Scrappy and how you tied your hair up on top of your head at night. I will forever remember your laughter, your smile, the days at Villa and how you loved to dance. Thank you for so many memories. You were joy personified! Blessings to your amazing family.