Questar III BOCES Board Vice President Marilyn Noonan passed away on March 28, after a courageous battle with illness.
Questar III District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz said the BOCES region lost a wonderful public servant who cared deeply about students and her native Greene County.
“Marilyn was one of our most enthusiastic supporters over the past 32 years. Her leadership and advocacy directly impacted students across our tri-county region. She was often one of the first to like our Facebook posts or to share a story about the BOCES role in public education. She will be missed,” said Cruz.
Noonan dedicated more than 40 years of her life to school board service. She first joined the BOCES board in 1988 after a successful term on the Catskill CSD school board from 1977 to 1993 (including four years as president).
She was an active member of the Questar III board until her death – attending meetings remotely through Zoom or by telephone as she was able. During her tenure, she helped Questar III become more transparent and responsive to component school districts.
Noonan was also a founding member of the Tech Valley High School Operating Board, serving from 2006 to 2019. Along with her colleagues, she helped Tech Valley High School grow into one of the leading project-based learning schools in the country.
Noonan was respected by her school board peers. In 2011, the Questar III Board of Education awarded her the G. Lucius Carey Award, the organization’s highest honor.
She also served on the Greene County School Board Association. Prior to her retirement, Noonan was executive assistant for the New York State Professional Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters.
Questar III Board President John Hill said it was an honor to serve with Noonan.
“Marilyn was a wonderful person. She cared deeply about kids and the BOCES mission of collaboration. She was passionate and honest – and always focused on students. I will miss her friendship and service,” said Hill.
Noonan is survived by her husband Rich and their two sons.
Marilyn Noonan in her own words (Question & Answer, 2013)
As a board member, what has been some of your proudest endeavors?
What matters to me are the accomplishments that we see on the personal, human scale. We work with some of the most vulnerable populations in our region and what I am most proud of about my work at Questar III is the humanity of the place and the people who work there. Students of all backgrounds and stations are embraced when they come through the door and are welcomed into what is such a nurturing culture. I love the level of acceptance and comfort it brings to students who have not previously enjoyed this kind of school experience.
Of course I am proud of all of the big accomplishments – those that get headlines and win us recognition, awards and kudos and saving money – but it’s the quiet, personal victories we help these students achieve through our teachers and teaching assistants and related services staff that I am most proud of and cherish the most.
https://www.questar.org/about/board-of-education/meet-the-board/marilyn-noonan/
