Gillian Lynn Noel's Obituary
Gillian Lynn Noel passed away peacefully on March 11, 2024 surrounded by family and friends in Longview, Texas. Born Gillian Lynn Hexter on November 29, 1936 in the seaside town of Paignton, on the coast of Tor Bay in Devon, England to William Ronald Luchford Hexter and Barbara Lynn Hayward Hexter.
Growing up in London, and being a small child during World War II, Gillian learned to live with hardship and uncertainty. She often shared stories of wearing a WW2 identification bracelet, coupon books for allocations of clothing, and being separated from family during bombing evacuations. She loved talking about Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family. To say she was proud of her English heritage was an understatement.
As a young woman, Gillian went to work for Halliburton in the London Office where she worked in Personnel. Part of her job was coordination of the international workforce abroad. It was during her time at Halliburton that she met and was swept off her feet by one of those Halliburton employees traveling through London, L.D. Noel from East Texas. Following a short courtship, on March 31, 1978 they were married in England. They lived in Libya and the Ivory Coast of Africa, before returning to live in California until retirement. Upon retirement in 1983, they returned to East Texas where they embraced life to the fullest.
Although living in East Texas separated her from her family in England, she never lost touch. She cherished her niece and nephew and rejoiced in receiving frequent letters updating her on their lives and children.
Gillian and LD made lifelong friends across the country, and loved spending time with and traveling with close friends. She was quick to make friends and enjoyed years of playing Mahjong with her East Texas friends, some who were also from England.
Gillian was preceded in death by her husband, L.D. Noel, her parents, William RL Hexter and Barbara Lynn Hexter, her brother, Richard Hexter (UK), L D’s children- Neil Noel, Melinda Noel Richardson, and Terry Noel.
She is survived by her step- grandchildren, Rhonda Noel , Amanda Richardson, and Billy Richardson, sister-in-law Jenny Hexter (UK), nephew Jonathan (Heather) Hexter, (UK), niece Genevieve (Calum) Nesbit (UK) and several great nieces and nephews.
Gillian was blessed with many friends who loved her like family and were by her side as her health declined to include Jane Powell, Gayle Kirkland, Linda DeRoy, Eurie Hardage and the sitters and staff at Comfort Keepers.
A private memorial will be held. In lieu of flowers please make contributions in her memory to Asbury House or St. Jude.
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