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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Janet Marie Noll Smalley, a lifelong resident of Poughkeepsie, died Thursday, April 8. She was 87.
She was born Nov. 7, 1928, to Catherine Margaret Clark Noll and Thomas Aloysious Noll. She was the granddaughter of the late Fire Chief Chris W. Noll, the first fire chief of the City of Poughkeepsie.
She graduated as valedictorian of Nativity School and graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1946. She earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education from SUNY New Paltz in 1950. Throughout high school and college, she worked in the children’s room of Adriance Library and the Wallace Company. She worked as an elementary school teacher in the Spackenkill Union Free School District for more than 30 years.
Following retirement from teaching, she volunteered at St. Francis Hospital and as a literacy volunteer. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of America, Court Irenita. Deeply rooted in her faith, she was a founding member of St. Martin DePorres Parish where she served as a Eucharistic minister. An avid reader, she loved good conversation, her lifelong friends, Hunns Lake, Booth Bay Harbor, Sacandaga Lake, Cape Cod Bay and the Poconos. She also was a member of the American Contract Bridge League.
She is survived by her five children, Robert F. Smalley Jr. (Marisa) of Germantown, Tenn., Teri L. Smalley of Willmington, Del., Catherine King (Kevin) of Delmar, Geraldine M. Link (Bruce) of Hobart and daughter Jennifer M. Smalley and Sherry M. Clark of Newburgh; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two nieces and two nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Francis Smalley Sr.; and brother, Gerard (Gerry) T. Noll.
Friends and family are invited to call from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the William G. Miller & Son Funeral Home Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Martin de Porres Church, 118 Cedar Valley Road, Poughkeepsie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the American Lung Association or the American Heart Association.
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