Tiffin University professor enriched students' lives

1/27/2006

TIFFIN - Patricia M. Noble, 70, a retired psychology professor at Tiffin University, died Sunday in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo, of complications from a ruptured colon.

Mrs. Noble was a faculty member and administrator at Tiffin University from 1970 until her retirement in 2000.

Over the years, she held a variety of jobs, including dean of women, dean of students, director of testing, and counselor/director of advising. She also ran a foreign student program at one time.

Gene Chintala, dean of advising at Tiffin, said Mrs. Noble helped change the university for the better by developing the programs with which she was involved. "It was important for her to better the life of her students - academically, culturally, and socially," Mr. Chintala said. "And she had a great ability to relate to each individual, [making] each feel special."

Mrs. Noble, a native of Cleveland with a bachelor's degree in psychology from John Carroll University and a master's degree in counseling from Miami University, also taught at Bloomville Elementary in Bloomville, Ohio, and at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Tiffin.

"She was a great leader. She led by example. She always focused on optimism and passionate belief in what you loved," her son, Christopher, said.

In her free time, Mrs. Noble enjoyed jigsaw and crossword puzzles, reading, traveling, knitting, and crocheting, Mr. Noble said.

Mrs. Noble was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tiffin.

Surviving are her husband of 40 years, John H. Noble, and son, Christopher.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tiffin, where a Rosary will be recited at 10:45 a.m. The Traunero Funeral Home, Tiffin, is handling arrangements.

The family suggests tributes to the American Diabetes Association or the Tiffin University student scholarship fund.