Obituary of Sandra Johnston Noser

Sandra Johnston Noser, seventy-two, died peacefully at her home in Houston, Texas, at 7:30 p.m., Monday, November 18, 2024, surrounded by her family, less than four weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

She is survived by her five children: Erin Makel and husband, Casey Makel; Eugene "Tony" Noser and wife, Heather Noser; Michael Noser and wife, Joyce Noser; Peter Noser and wife, Jimmi Noser; and Steve Noser and wife, Lianne Noser; eighteen grandchildren: Bryon, Matthew, Kendel, Alexis, Andrew, Wyatt, Savannah, Hannah, Grace, Rachel, Clare, Ella, Lily, Emily, Julia, Madison, Hazel, and Zeke; and great-granddaughter, Charmaine Makel; brother, Cyrus Johnston, III; brother-in-law, Eugene Noser, Jr; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Haxthausen and Rose Marie McGarry; and dozens of nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of forty-eight years, Stephen Francis Noser; her father, Cyrus Thurston Johnston, Jr; her mother, Aline Richardson Freeman; and her sisters, Mary Al Lindsay and Michele "Chele" Simpson.

Sandy, as she was lovingly known, was born in Houston, Texas, on October 2, 1952, the youngest of four siblings. She was raised in Houston and moved to Baltimore in high school, attending Hannah More Academy.

Sandy and Steve met upon her return to Houston, and after a brief courtship were wed on Feburary 24, 1973 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. They settled in Houston’s Oak Forest neighborhood where they raised their children and were lifelong members of St. Rose of Lima and St. Ambrose Parishes.

Born with a deep faith and love of God, Sandy exuded joy and kindness, greeting everyone she met with a warm smile and a genuine compliment. She didn’t look for the good in people, that’s all she saw.

Sandy never met a stranger and never looked away from someone suffering. If you were pregnant with nowhere to live, she brought you home to live with her as long as you needed. If you were sad and felt unloved, she shined God’s love on you and picked you up. If you were homeless and ignored, she shared a smoke and became your friend.

She loved people, especially babies and children. Her home on Viking echoed with the sounds of children laughing for more than forty years. “Nonnie” was adored by her grandchildren who loved to play dominoes, puzzles, read, watch movies, and especially swim with her. She loved to joke and laugh, even through memory loss and a painful illness.

Most of all she loved Jesus and felt a deep kinship and devotion to the Blessed Mother. She prayed earnestly and constantly. In her last months, Sandy suffered increasing discomfort and physical pain, asking always for whom she could pray and “offer up” her suffering.

With deep sadness, Sandy’s children, grandchildren and extended family give thanks for her earthly life and humble example as a follower of Jesus.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made in her memory to Loving Choice Pregnancy Help Center, 4008 Louetta Road #178, Spring, TX 77388-4405, or online at: https://loving-choice.org/donate/

All services will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman in Houston, Texas. A viewing and visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.  The Rite of Committal will follow at approximately 12:00 p.m. at Glenwood Cemetery, 2525 Washington Avenue in Houston, Texas. A reception will be held at St. Rose of Lima immediately following burial.