Noella Mary Novarra, 89, of Rochester, Washington, died on Friday, March 11, 2022 after a short illness. She was born Dec. 25, 1932 on a small farm in Goodfare, Alberta, Canada to Philip and Phyllis Thetrault where she grew to adulthood with her sister and brother.
Noella met the love of her life, Ralph, when he was on duty at the Canadian Forces
Station Beaverlodge in northern Alberta. They were married on Feb. 23, 1956. She left the country life to be a military wife and provided a venturesome childhood for their four children: Norma Gorham, Donna Amos, Brenda Novarra- Schaible and Phillip Novarra. After 23 years of traveling the world in the military, they moved back to the country to their forever home in Rochester in 1974.
Together, Noella and Ralph were a great team. When they retired, they embraced the next phase of their life together. They restored several buggies and sleighs, with Noella tackling the upholstery with expertly executed tuck and roll pleats. Together, they designed and built three barns — two for horses and one for dogs. She delighted in being outdoors, hammering and sawing with her infectious smile and can-do attitude. There was nothing they couldn't tackle together.
Noella's talents were many and varied. She could knit beautiful sweaters, sew stunning square dance dresses, embroidered tea-towels, or crochet hats and mitts with ease and precision. Noella was a dedicated gardener, growing most of the family's food and canning it for delicious and healthy eating year-round. When she wanted to pursue a new project, she read, tried, and perfected the skills needed. She was a self-taught upholsterer, a wood carver, and nature painter.
The Catholic church was her strength and guiding light. From our earliest memories, she was involved in the church. While living in Italy, she organized CCD for the children of San Vito Air Base. She served as the vice president of the American Catholics of Italy and had a semi-private audience with Pope Saint Paul VI. Shortly after moving to Rochester, the family joined St. Peter's Catholic Mission in Tenino where she often mowed the grounds, cleaned the building, and lent a hand wherever needed.
Noella's love and passion was horses. When she moved to Rochester, she was able to at long last get a horse. In the 1980s, she was one of the early members of the National Association of Competitive Mounted Orienteering. Noella served on the board for 20- plus years helping it become a national organization. She was a fierce competitor and is still the high points rider in the country — 2,000 points ahead of her nearest contender.
Noella was a dynamo. Always in motion, her energy and enthusiasm was contagious and eternal. She will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved her.
Noella is survived by her husband of 66 years Ralph, her four children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Her service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 8, 2022 at St. Peter's Catholic Mission on 149 Keithahn St. S., Tenino, Washington. The funeral mass will be followed by a luncheon at the church.
