Marion Smyth (Baker) Noble

Marion Ellen (Baker) Smyth Noble, age 96 passed away peacefully with her 2 granddaughters by her side, Kate (DJ) Schuett and Lindsay (Doug) Williams (of New Glarus) on March 11th at the New Glarus Home. Marion was born on February 18, 1914 on the Baker farm, Iowa County, in rural Blanchardville to Dwight Eldridge & Doris Edna (Parkinson) Baker. She grew up in the Blanchardville area, attended the Blanchardville Grade School, and graduated from the Blanchardville High School in 1932. She went on to attend the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and graduated in 1936 with a BS in Home Economics. She was one of the first women to do student broadcasting while at UW-Madison on the college radio station, WHA/College of the Air. She was married to B. (Benjamin) Frank Smyth June 12, 1936, hours after completing her final college exam. From 1936 to 1949 Frank and Marion resided in Madison and Milwaukee, where Frank was employed by National Cash Register. In 1949 they moved to Cleveland and then on to Alliance, Ohio, where they farmed in Alliance next to Frank's home farm. Frank returned to selling second hand cash registers and typewriters, the start of the family business, Smyth Business Machines, which later became Smyth Business Systems. Marion worked in broadcasting in Alliance, Ohio at WFAH from 1952 until 1958 doing home economics and women's programs titled Party Line and Who's New. From 1961 until 1970 she was the Stark County Home Extension Agent in Ohio. As the Home Extension Agent two things she was most proud of was being a columnist and appearing on local television. Marion and Frank both retired in 1970. Their three sons, Bill, Bob, and Larry, continued to operate Smyth Business Systems, a nationwide business. From 1971 to 1979 Marion and Frank traveled the United States by RV during the summer, and stayed in Mesa, AZ during the winter until Frank died on February 25, 1979. Marion moved to Laguna Hills, California to be near three of her children. There she became reconnected with a Blanchardville friend, George Noble, and they were later married on May 12 1981 in Laguna Hills. They resided in Laguna Hills until George died on April 7. 2001. In 2005 she moved to the New Glarus Home to be near her family. Marion took pride in her many travels in the US and the world. and the achievements of her children and grandchildren. Throughout her life, she contributed many articles to professional journals. She was in Who's Who in American Women, was named Woman of the Year by the Urban League in Canton, Ohio in 1964 and was a charter member of the Alliance, Ohio Chapter of the American Association of University Women. She was a member of Thimble Collectors International (San Diego Chapter) and participated in national conventions and chapter meetings. She was also a member of the Ladies Oriental Shrine N. America, National Association of Extension Agents, Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, Phi Upsilon Omicron, Epsilon Sigma Phi and PTA President. Reading, sewing, knitting, needlework, collecting thimbles/antique sewing items and telling wonderful stories were her passion. She was a member of various Methodist churches in the places she lived, currently being a member of the Blanchardville United Methodist Church. Marion is survived by 4 children, William (Carolyn) Smyth of Canton, OH, wintering in Arizona; Ann (Webb) Marris of Roseburg, OR; Larry (Diane) Smyth, of Templeton, CA; and Margaret "Peg" (William) Decker of Phoenix, AZ, summering in New Glarus, WI; 2 Step children, George Alan (Wilma) Noble of California, and Carol Baker of Colorado; 13 grandchildren (a Baker's dozen!), 29 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren and 2 step-great grandchild; one brother Doug (Irene) Baker of Blanchardville and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands Frank Smyth and George Noble; one son Robert Thomas Smyth; two brothers, Dr. Wilson "Doc" Baker, a veterinarian, and Dr. Homer Baker, a medical doctor. "She lived it full, she lived it well and oh the stories she did tell" A Celebration of her life will be held July 2 2010 in Blanchardville, WI. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Marion (Baker) Smyth Noble Scholarship for a female Pecatonica High School graduate attending a UW System school.