HERKIMER-Joan H. Noonan age 72 of Suiter Street passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning October 2, 2007 in Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown. She had the comfort of her loving family at her side. She was born on August 20, 1935 in Herkimer, daughter of the late David and Edith C. Haley Hunt. A lifelong Herkimer resident she was a graduate of Herkimer High School with the class of 1953. She furthered her education graduating from the Utica School of Commerce. On October 11, 1958 she was united in marriage with Charles I. Noonan in St. Francis deSales Church, Herkimer. For forty-two years she was employed by Verizon, retiring on December 22, 1996. During her career with Verizon she became active in the Communications Workers of America, Local # 1113. In 1965 she was elected President of the union and distinguished herself by serving in that capacity until the time of her passing. She was also a member of the Telecommunications Union where she served as Vice President from 1981 to 1986. She continued being educated in labor relations matters studying at Rutgers University, Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin at Madison. With her expertise in union matters she had taken part in serving on many national bargaining committees. Joan had a strong belief in God and led a devoted Catholic life. She was a member of St Francis deSales Church, Herkimer. She had a strong sense of community and was a member of the Herkimer Lady Elks presiding as its president for three terms and was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers. In her leisure time she enjoyed the companionship of her husband while they traveled to far away places such as Aruba and Cape Cod as well as the cherished time spent at nearby Otsego Lake. Joan will always be remembered as the 1957 Village of Herkimer Sesquicentennial Queen and was honored again this year, being asked to be the Herkimer Bicentennial Queen for 2007. To her many friends and family she was a loving, giving, gracious lady who truly cared about others and will remain in all of our hearts and minds forever. Surviving are her husband of forty eight years Charles, two sons, Charles A. Noonan of Aberdeen, NJ, David H. Noonan of Herkimer, two grandsons, Devin J. Noonan, Brendon A. Noonan and their mother Janice Caprio of Hazlet, NJ, one brother, David M. Hunt of Herkimer, her mother-in-law Charlotte M. Noonan of Dolgeville, a brother-in-law Richard Noonan and his wife Ann of Dolgeville, a sister-in-law, Patty Smith and her husband Chuck of Little Falls, a nephew, Tim Noonan and his wife Andrea of Iowa, a niece, Jodi Montgomery and her husband Chris of Little Falls, several aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral from Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer on Saturday at 9:45 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am in St Francis deSales Church, Herkimer. The Reverend Mark Cunningham, Pastor will officiate. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at a later time convenient to the family. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends this evening (Thursday) from 6:00 until 9:00 pm and on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations to Bassett Cancer Research or the Elks National Foundation be considered. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.