Maurine Noble, (1932 - 2013) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Every quilt you make, I don’t care if you make hundreds of them, you will always learn something. If you sit down to really study it, you will learn something new.

~ Maurine Noble ~

81 years old
Born on February 6, 1932
Passed away on July 31, 2013

A Memorial Service was held at Plymouth Congregational Church on Sunday, August 25 at 2:30 pm.

The family video-recorded the memorial service and posted it below in eight sections.
Memorial Service - Part 1, Welcome and Song
Memorial Service - Part 2, Russ' Eulogy
Memorial Service - Part 3, Taylor Story (grandson)
Memorial Service - Part 4, Patricia Memory
Memorial Service - Part 5, Flora - Quilt Poem
Memorial Service - Part 6, Diana, Sierra and Russ - "Amazing Grace"
Memorial Service - Part 7, Adam - 1 Corinthians 13, verses 4-8
Memorial Service - Part 8, Sermon, Benediction and Tolling of Bells

Maurine Leander Noble, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, avid quilter, published author, and one of the pioneers of machine quilting, died peacefully July 31, 2013 in Edmonds, Washington with her family by her side. She was 81.

Maurine was born February 6, 1932 in Seattle, Washington to Ella Leander. Her father Maurice passed away unexpectedly three weeks before she was born. She lived with her mother and two older brothers, Ivan and Bob in Ballard. She graduated from Ballard High School and went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.

It was there she met her husband Ed, whose Army career took them far and wide to places like Germany, Chicago, New York City, Okinawa, California and Washington.

Maurine was an internationally recognized leader in machine quilting. Her first book Machine Quilting Made Easy was published in 1994 and is still in print. She went on to publish two other quilting books, Machine Quilting with Decorative Threads and Machine Appliqué. All three publications have been widely used and are still sought after. She taught machine quilting classes throughout the United States, Canada, and South Africa; it was one of her greatest passions and deepest joys. She made countless friends in the close-knit quilting community and many of them became part of her extended family.

Maurine’s generosity of spirit led her to organize The Plymouth PieceMakers, a quilt group whose purpose was to make and donate quilts to newborns, those suffering from long term illness, and later also for high school graduates at Plymouth Congregational Church in Seattle. The group's program of donating quilts expanded into the community through Plymouth Healing Communities, an organization supporting those suffering from mental illness and homelessness.

While Maurine was well-known for her machine quilting talents and exceptional teaching ability, her greatest legacy will be as a mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband and three children, Lee Noble, Elin Antonsen (married to Lasse) and Russ Noble (married to Diana) and her three grandchildren, Taylor, Adam and Sierra, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Her unconditional love, compassion, thoughtfulness, and uncommon grace, made her a strong role model. The world is and always will be a better place because Maurine was here.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in the memory of Maurine Noble to Plymouth Healing Communities at www.plyhc.org or at 1217 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101.

We would love for you to add tributes, stories and photos of Maurine and her quilts to this site.

Tributes

Leave a tribute

August 2, 2022

Patricia, thank you for your kind words. The family is doing well--we all miss Maurine and continue to reflect on her legacy and the profound impact she had on us. We wish she could have met her great-granddaughter. How Maurine would have loved her so! As she gets older, she'll hear stories about her father's "Nama" and all the wonderful memories she left behind. Best to you!

July 31, 2022

Dear Family of Maurine and Ed,

My thoughts and memories of all of you and our times together over the years bring a smile to face. Hoping you are all well and enjoying each and every day!

Love, Pat

July 31, 2021

You were not ready to leave this life and I was not ready to say good bye, dear Maurine. Rest in peace. P.

February 10, 2021

Happy Belated Birthday, Dear One. I think of you fondly and often mention you to my students. You are not forgotten. Love, P.

July 31, 2020

My love to you dear Maurine. Missed now for seven years. P.

July 31, 2020

It's hard to believe that it's been 7 years since your passing. You continue to be a model of compassion, generosity, thoughtfulness, dedication, hard work, good-humor and patience. Your son (and my husband) reminds me of you in the way that he lives his life. Your legacy continues in him, our 3 children and your silly and sweet 14-month-old great-granddaughter. I miss you, Maurine, and hold your memory deep in my loving, aching heart.

August 1, 2019

As little as I saw you Maureen, the strength, inclusion and love I felt from you was what made me feel comfortable enough to ask you to make the quilts for my girls out of Richard's Hawaiian shirts. You made them so beautiful it made me cry that day. I see one of those quilts almost daily now, as Cooper, Richard and my grandson, sleeps with it often. You were one of a kind. Thank you, again.

August 1, 2019

Maurine, I think about you often, multiple times a week in fact. You continue to be an inspiration to me in how to comport myself with grace, gratitude, compassion, generosity and love for all. I wish you could have met your beautiful great-granddaughter and held her in your arms. She's a beautiful and spunky little thing, "full of beans" as you used to say. You'd be so proud of how your grandchildren are doing. You were en enormous part of all our lives, and you've made us who we are today. Always loved, Maurine and never forgotten.

July 31, 2019

Without knowing today was the sixth anniversary of Maurine’s passing, I was looking at Mt Rainer from a restaurant in Kingston, and all I could think about was Maurine. Remembering the view from their guest room in Ballard and missing her so much.

Then today we had lunch in Edmonds right down the street from their former condo.

My memories of the Noble Family will never fade❣️ Patricia Smith

July 31, 2019

I cannot believe you left us six years ago today. I have such wonderful memories of you and reminders of your love everywhere in our home. Every day I strive to be the compassionate and dedicated human being that you were. I miss you and love you dearly. Russ

July 31, 2019

Thinking of you dearly today, Maurine. May you continue to rest in peace knowing that the people who you touched with your kind spirit are all better for having known you. P.

July 31, 2018

I remember the day you passed. Five short and five long years ago. Thank you for all the gifts you gave to me, My Friend.

May 8, 2018

I am sorry for your loss. I just picked up a book that she wrote on Machine Quilting Made Easy. I have looked at lots of machine quilting books and this is the first one that makes it EASY. Maurine was a great writer. She was very talented. I send my thoughts and Prayers for your loss. I wish I could have met her. She talks to you in her book.

February 6, 2018

Happy birthday mom. I miss and think of you every day.

February 6, 2017

Good morning Mom, today is February 6, 2017, your 85th birthday and we received a blanket of snow, like a pillowy white quilt that you meticulously and lovingly patterned for us. I still think about you every day and try to emulate your incredible generosity and joie de vivre you displayed, even in your difficult times. Thank you for inspiring me and so many people you touched in your lives. Eternal love, Russ

February 6, 2017

Maurine, I wept this morning when Russ said the new snow looked like a white quilt, left by you as a gift to us. Very symbolic indeed. Everything about you was and is a gift to people who knew and admired you. I think of you often, never more so than on a holiday when memories of how special you made them seep out of my memory banks and fill my heart. You had a special touch, and everything you did came from a place of love and devotion to others. The book that I was writing before you passed is about to be published, this May. I changed the name of the mother character to Marielena, in honor of you and Elin. There isn't really a Spanish equivalent to Maurine that I know of. I am now writing my 2nd book, and the mother in law character's name is Marlene - also in your honor. You are in my heart and have my eternal thanks for raising such an honorable son. He's a beautiful reflection of your generous spirit, creativity, compassion and unwavering integrity.

August 1, 2016

Much love to all of the Noble family. I will always remember Maureen and the love she put into family gatherings. I know she must be missed daily by her family. A luminous light remains where a beautiful soul has lived.

July 31, 2016

Maurine, you are Forever Remembered in my heart! Love, Pat

July 31, 2016

It was a sad and unexpected day three years ago when you left us all. Every day since I am more and more grateful for the legacy you left our family and the love, compassion and generosity you demonstrated every day towards others. I love you mom.

July 31, 2016

Thinking of the Noble family and reflecting on how you honor Maurine in the way you live your lives daily

February 7, 2016

My dear Maurine, each time I see a quilt or remember our special times together, I am so very grateful you and your dear family came into my life. Remembering you always…Love, Pat

February 6, 2016

Happy Birthday Mom. Nor a day passes that I do not think of your patient ways and sparkly kind eyes. Love, Russ

February 6, 2016

Dear Maurine, if you were physically still with us today, you undoubtedly would have joined Russ and me in watching your granddaughter perform in a vocal competition, both as a soloist and as part of an acapella group. She sang beautifully, and you would have been so proud. I wore one of your beautiful opal rings to symbolize your presence with us, although the ring wasn't really necessary. You are with us always, but it is especially felt when the family gets together, in celebration of some kind. Taylor married Tay in September - something you said you hoped for, and reiterated just hours before you passed. While we are doing well and carrying on with our lives, you've left a hole that memories can't completely fill. We love you.

February 6, 2016

Maurine—Happy Day. Today I taught a quilting class and once again spoke of you—such a great influence you have been in my life. Thinking of you. Love, P.

February 6, 2015

Happy 83rd to you Maureen, we will all carch up with you someday but until then I know you are safe in the hands of LOVE. Tell my Richard Hi for me with a nig hug !❤️

February 6, 2015

I was just thinking of her yest. Not because it has been a year but because I was quilting a quilt and remembering, as i do everytime I try to quilt, how she taught us freehand quilting in one of her classes. It seemed as if yest. a light came on and something else made sense. I think of frequently. I still keep her book by my machine. I still have the name tag she gave me. She impacted my life tremendously and I loved her dearly because of it. She was a wonderful place and the world better for having had her in it.

February 6, 2015

Thinking of Maurine today and among other things, the beautiful legacy of children and grandchildren she graced this earth with. Whenever I see a beautiful quilt I always think of her. Blessings to her memory.

February 6, 2015

Mom, though we cannot celebrate your birthday with you, we continue to celebrate the day you entered our world. You have impacted so many people in such a positive way. I can only aspire to carry your torch and make a difference like you have. I love you, Russ

August 1, 2014

Maurine, it's been a year since your passing and not a day goes by that I don't think of you, miss you and aspire to be the kind of person you were - loving, genuine, compassionate, giving, thoughtful, brave, talented and caring. Taylor is now engaged to be married to Tay (you wished for it and it happened), Adam is about to transition careers and is doing some volunteer work, and your granddaughter Sierra had a successful first year of high school and will be joining the choir in 10th grade. She's learning to drive, too. Family gatherings aren't the same without you. I can still hear your voice in my head, laughing and chatting and offering to help cook or do the dishes even when your back was causing you terrible pain. We use your quilts every day and I've got your photo posted next to my computer to keep me inspired as I try to finish my book. Your physical presence is gone, but your spirit is deep within us, making us better people because we knew and loved you.

July 31, 2014

To Ed and Family,

I know how hard this day can be and hope your most fond memories of Maureen make your day one of smiles and not tears. I just watched the slideshow of pics and saw the quilt she made of Rich's shirts, thank you for that. My love to all of you.

February 6, 2014

I had been thinking about Ed and Maurine this winter, remembering how they went to CA to enjoy the sun and warmth and wishing she were still here to go there again this year. I know her close friends and family miss her so. I probably will never look at a beautiful quilt without thinking about her and her great spirit and attitude and talent. My best to Ed and her family --- Gayle

September 5, 2013

I too add my sympathies to the list and pray that your pain will pass and you will be warmed and comforted by the many happy memories she left you with. I was a follower of her and took as many classes from her as i could. I still keep her books near the sew machine and refer to them regularly. I cherish the name tag she made for us all as we began a class and all the things i learned.

August 27, 2013

Ed and family,
I was so sorry to hear of Maurine's death. She was such a beautiful woman in every way. She will be missed by all of you and the quilting community. I remember her mostly from the Plymouth community and the great potlucks at your place. I hope your many memories will sustain you during this difficult time. Much love to all of you.

August 25, 2013

I'm so sorry to hear of Maurine's passing. She was a fantastic teacher and wonderful quilter. Hugs and warm quilts to you all.

August 24, 2013

Dear Nobles--- I will always remember Maurine as kind of the Matriarch of the family, next to Aunt Eve. She got us all together for birthdays, holidays. She was a beautiful soul. My fondest memory though, will be the day I went to go pick up the quilts she made of my late husband Richard's hawaiian shirts and they took my breathe away. I cried. My girls will always cherish them. <3

August 22, 2013

Ed, I fondly remember our monthly pot-lucks with you and Maureen at Plymouth's Saturday Suppers. Her friendly smile warmed whatever room she was in. She will be missed.

August 19, 2013

Our family is so sad to hear of Maurine's passing. My mom, Marcia Erickson-Boate, sister Anne Erickson-Brixner and brother Jim add our little "candle" to all the others here. We'll always remember her kind smile and laugh, her sparkling eyes, and supreme talents. She will be missed! Much love to all her family and friends. Her light will alway be with us. xoxo

August 17, 2013

We will celebrate Maurine everytime we see a beautiful quilt, everytime we marvel at what great parents Russ and Diana are, everytime we are touched by Russ's goodness... We look forward to learning more about her life and celebrating her in the years to come.

August 16, 2013

We remember Maurine from our close friendship while living in military quarters at Bad Tolz, Germany in the 1950s. Lee and Ellen were toddlers in those days and Russ had not yet arrived. She had a loom on which she wove fabric eventually used to reupholster their davenport. The Nobles were great neighbors. She will be missed!

August 15, 2013

During the short time, I had known her, I saw her as extremely graceful and patient individual. She loved her family the most and was extremely proud of their achievements. She will be extremely missed at Brian Duffy's office in West Seattle.

August 14, 2013

I met Maurine only two weeks prior to her passing. She told me she was missing teaching so much and offered, very sincerely, to help me with a little art quilt I was planning. In a 30 minute encounter with her, I felt so engaged with her. I was so saddened to hear of her unanticipated end - and have been amazed at the severe loss I feel when I knew her so little. So sad for all of you.

August 14, 2013

On behalf of The Professional Association of Appraisers-Quilted Textiles (PAAQT) I would like to offer our sincere sympathy for the loss of a true pioneer to the world of quilting. Her contributions will be felt for many years to come. Her books are a source of inspiration. Her legacy will live on through the many lives she has touched. Our prayers go out to her family.

August 14, 2013

Ed and family - There's nothing like "old friends!" We all go back 40+ years from Hinsdale times to periodic visits to Elin in MA/RI, plus Christmas card updates. Always with good friends it was a tho we'd been in contact constantly and would pick up right from where we left off. Maureen was a love, and Doug and I will miss her.

August 14, 2013

I think Maurine was one of those early quilters who contributed much to the quilting world. Thank heavens for people like her who were so encouraging and inspirational for others of us who then were just learning. Thank you Maurine. The quilt world is smiling in our hearts because of the blessings you brought us.

August 13, 2013

Dear Elin, your mother was such an inspiration to me. I was fortunate to have been a student in her classes, to have judged with her and to have called her friend. She helped to open doors for me. I am fortunate to have taken classes from both mother and daughter!

August 13, 2013

I am a slow quilter,learned from my aunts that have passed too.I am so sorry for your loss but lots of memerys their too.She looked so great .I wish you all well and my prayers go out to all the family.one aunt lived in elma wash.and her name was noble from marrying..love to all the family.

August 13, 2013

Maurine was a long time and much loved member of Group "85
(needle art's friends). She was admired for her skills and generosity
of spirit. She will most certainly be missed by all of us in Group "85.

August 12, 2013

.... adoro a las personas que han sido entusiastas y han sabido transmitir sus enseñanzas, ha dejado un legado para muchas quilters y esto es imposible de olvidar, un abrazo para toda su família.

August 12, 2013

Dear Ed:
A beautiful lady left us so suddenly. Love to all of you Nobles.
Maurine's art work was awesome. I recall our ski trips where we raced home at the end of the day to see what creations had come from Maurine's mind, heart, fingers, and machine during the day.

August 11, 2013

I"m so sorry to hear of Maurines's passing. The grand landy of quilting will be missed, but never forgotton. Du commer at missas! hugs and love, Barbara Feinstein

Page 1 of 3

Leave a Tribute

Recent Tributes

August 2, 2022

July 31, 2022

Dear Family of Maurine and Ed,

My thoughts and memories of all of you and our times together over the years bring a smile to face. Hoping you are all well and enjoying each and every day!

Love, Pat

July 31, 2021

You were not ready to leave this life and I was not ready to say good bye, dear Maurine. Rest in peace. P.

View all 108 tributes

Gallery

Quilt show in 2014. Maurine's quilt is the tree with oranges and golds.

Thanks for the memories mom. We miss and think of you every day.

Maurine treated our family to one of the best trips in our lives to Cabo in February 2004.

View all 134 items

We miss you

July 31, 2021

Even after eight years, I cannot believe you are not here to share the precious moments of your grandchildren's and great-granddaughter's lives. We miss you and think of you every day. We have wonderful reminders of your generosity and artistic skill everywhere in our home.

February 7, 2019

Dear Noble Family,

Last week I spent two afternoons in Edmonds and couldn’t help feeling the loss of your dear parents. Our visits to their condo and nearby restaurants were always so special.

Thinking of you Maurine on your birthday, giving thanks for your dear friendship throughout the years. You are forever in my heart

August 1, 2017

I found such joy and total acceptance the very first day Maurine and I met, and she will always remain close to my heart. Also, I'm sending loving thoughts and special memories to all of Maurine's family...I miss you, too! Love, Pat Smith

Cookies are disabled :(

Tributes

Leave a Tribute

Invite others to Maurine's website: