I graduated in 1971 and my cousin, Noel, graduated the previous year, 1970. Noel Lang (later Colaizzi, and then Olinger) died on 12/24/05, just this past Christmas eve, and I thought that some of her classmates would want to know. I realize that over the Holidays, many folks are traveling and at best may not be reading the obituaries in the local newspaper, so I thought that it was unlikely that many of her classmates knew about her death. Fortunately, we were working our way from NC through WV and then on to Pittsburgh, when we received word of her death. She was born on Christmas Day 12/25/50 and died 12/24/05, rather odd.

Noel was a dear but troubled soul, who had so much compassion for others. She had the most wonderful laugh. Although she was a year ahead of me in Nursing school, I was actually a year older than her. We commuted together during our SFGH school days and then afterward while she was a new grad, working on 2400 (Ortho) and then on to the ER, prior to beginning Anesthesia school. While growing up we lived in the same neighborhood (a very clannish family), and went to the same Catholic schools all through our grade school and high school years. I have the sweetest memories of our years together and will always treasure them. Unfortunately, Noel lost a dear brother while she was in her teenage years, and her parents as a young adult. She has another brother, from whom the entire family was estranged. Her two marriages did not work out or provide any children over the years. Noel had Lupus for many years which left her with many complications and much misery. Peggy Cooney, one of her classmates who remained Noel’s friend came to the funeral home, but I am not aware that any other classmates knew of her death. Please pray for her and pass this information along to her classmates (Class of ’70) if possible. She is loved and will be missed.