Mary A. Noden

Mary Ann Noden, age 91 of Tecumseh, formerly of Ann Arbor passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023 at Cambrian Memory Care in Tecumseh. Mary Ann was born January 5, 1932 in Oskaloosa, Iowa to  Edith and Charles Clark. Her family moved to Silvis, Ill. circa 1937.  She attended Silvis McKinley Grammar School and graduated from United Township High School in 1949. During high school Mary Ann was a star performer at tennis and cheerleading. After graduation she began her career as a receptionist at WQUA, a radio station located in Moline, Ill. Later she changed her employment to John Deere Harvester Works located in East Moline, Ill. While attending high school she met Ronald Noden of East Moline. The couple was married on July 13, 1952 at Silvis Methodist Church. “Standing room only.”  They honeymooned at Mackinac Island.

Mary Ann and Ron moved to West Lafayette, Ind. where Ron completed his senior year at Purdue University. While at W. Lafayette Mary was employed at the Egyptian Laquer Co. as a purchasing assistant. Her husband entered the U.S. Army in 1953 and Mary Ann found employment with the Fort Sheridan Post Logistics Officer as a secretary.  When her husband was honorably discharged in 1955, the couple moved to Detroit, Mich. where he took a position with the Ford Motor Company. Mary also found employment with Mercury Division of Ford.

After moving in to their first house in January 1957, Mary Ann ended her employment with Ford. On November 21, 1960 Mary Ann and Ron began their family by her giving birth to a daughter, Mary Beth Noden. On October 5, 1963 they welcomed a son, Ronald Todd.

During her husband’s career with Ford Motor Co. the couple moved to many locations. The first move was in 1964 to Fostoria, Ohio where she perfected her bowling skills. Then two years later to Ann Arbor, Mich. (Her bowling team made several consecutive trips to the annual championship tournament at Grand Rapids.)

In 1973 the couple moved to Skippack, Penn., near Philadelphia. During this period, she was able to spend time on the tennis courts in order to satisfy her life long love for this sport. Then in 1976 the couple returned to Ann Arbor which she called home for the rest of her life.

The celebrity acquaintances she encountered over the years are worth mentioning. While at her first job at WQUA she met John Wayne.  While playing tennis in the Philadelphia area she hit practice balls with Billy Jean King. She also had the opportunity to meet O.J. Simpson. What a life!

Mary Ann was proceeded in death by her mother, father and older brother Robert E. Clark. She is survived by her husband Ron; daughter, Mary Beth Noden of Tecumseh; son, Ronald (Amy) Noden of Mountain Brook, Ala.; and three granddaughters, Grace of New York City, N.Y., Ellie of Dallas, Texas and Hattie, who is attending Auburn University.

The family has chosen to remember her privately at this time.  Arrangements are under the care of the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes. Condolences may be offered to the family at handlerfuneralhomes.com.