Virginia Davis Nooe and Gilbert Nooe were excited to announce the arrival of Molly Sue Nooe in Ashland, Kentucky on April 25, 1943. During elementary school, Molly and her family moved to Maysville where Gilbert became an owner and manager of a fertilizer factory. Molly Sue’s formative years were all in Maysville where she established strong friendships that lasted throughout her life – Molly always let everyone know she was a Maysville girl.
Molly’s passion growing up was art which led her to enroll in the University of Cincinnati’s School of Design, Architecture & Art when she graduated from Maysville High School in 1961. Molly graduated with a dual degree in Fine Arts and Art Education and then became an art teacher in the Covington, Kentucky school system.
Molly met David Shoup early during her enrollment at UC and they married in December 1965 when she was a Covington teacher and Dave was finishing up his UC studies.
In 1968, Molly and Dave moved to Queens, New York and in October Rebecca, Molly and Dave’s first child, was born. Michele, their second daughter (now deceased), was born in 1970 in Princeton, New Jersey. Sarah, their third daughter, was born in 1981 in Bogota, Colombia. Between 1968 and 2000, Molly established homes for her family in Queens, Aruba, New Jersey, Venezuela, Colombia, Malaysia, and Texas.
In 2000, Molly and Dave moved to Whidbey Island, Washington to be closer to their three daughters. Molly enjoyed many years in their new home. On Whidbey, Molly found artistic inspiration in encaustic painting and took to the fleece-wearing nature of island living. Molly developed friendships among local artists, neighbors, P.E.O. members, and dog park frequenters.
In 2018 Molly and Dave transitioned to Horizon House, a senior living facility in Seattle, where she made many close friends. Horizon House was her home until her death.
Molly will be remembered for her southern charm; being a forever art teacher at the ready with encouragement for all artistic endeavors; her love for travel; her determination and resolve to not let health challenges get the better of her; and her partiality for caramel popcorn and chocolate covered cherries.
She was an exceptional wife, mother and grandmother; forever finding ways to enrich and guide her family.
