Noel Wirth (nee Curry), 90, of Ocean City, passed away peacefully in the presence of her sons on Sept. 22, 2023.
Born in Camden and raised in Delaware Township (later Cherry Hill), she was the daughter of Raymond and Edith (nee Mettler) Curry. Predeceased by husband G. Herbert Wirth Jr., she is survived by sons Karl and Jeff; daughter-in-law Gina; sister Wanda Fitzpatrick of Cornelius, N.C.; nephews Doug and Rick Fitzpatrick, niece Julie Thornalley; and many grand-nephews and -nieces. She was also predeceased by her later-life companion, Jerry Clarke.
A graduate of Moorestown High School and Temple University, Noel’s life of adventure began soon after her wedding in 1954, as the newlywed couple was quickly whisked across the Atlantic for Herb’s service in the U.S. Army’s post-World War II operation at Kaiserslautern, Germany. European base established, they went on to explore numerous destinations across the continent before returning stateside.
Riding the crest of the baby boom, Noel was among the original settlers of Levittown, N.J. (later Willingboro), shepherding her young family through the brave new world of suburbia and navigating station wagon camping expeditions that crisscrossed the USA.
In addition to her career as an administrative assistant at RCA (later GE, Lockheed Martin), Noel dedicated time to the PTA, the Cub Scouts and as a swim team and soccer mom, long before that was even a thing.
She was a charter member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Willingboro, active in the AAUW and played a grass-roots role in the effort to secure a Green Acres grant creating Willingboro’s Mill Creek Park, the largest municipal park in New Jersey at that time.
Noel brought her administrative and volunteer savvy into play with subsequent work at the Ocean City Historical Museum, also enjoying a summer boardwalk gig serving customers at Shriver’s Salt Water Taffy & Fudge.
Other volunteer work included reconstruction of flood-ravaged homes in the Southeast, restoration work on New Jersey’s tall ship the A.J. Meerwald, hike leader for the Outdoor Club of South Jersey, dog walker at the Ocean City Humane Society and Beach Walk Guide for Ocean City visitors.
Later travels with kindred spirit and fellow hiker Jerry included Portugal, England, Ireland and the homeland of Noel’s ancestors — Scotland.
In recent years, she was a familiar figure seen traversing the Ocean City boardwalk and downtown, dutifully tracking steps toward her annual goal of 1,000 miles.
Noel’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at St. John Lutheran Church, 10th Street at Central Avenue in Ocean City. An opportunity to share memories at a gathering and luncheon at the church will follow. All are welcome to attend.
Donations in Noel’s memory may be made to the Ocean City Historical Museum and the Humane Society of Ocean City.
