Kate Noonan

Kate Noonan, our beloved sister, daughter, family member, and friend, embarked on her final adventure on May 7th, 2024. Katherine Marie Noonan came roaring into this world on June 1st, 1989 and never slowed down for a minute. She brightened all our lives with her effusive energy, vibrant personality, and sincere kindness. Kate was passionate about many things, including animals, the natural world, music, and community. She was both a brilliant scholar and a fearless adventurer, equally at home in academia as in the wilderness. After studying Biology at Ithaca College in New York, Kate ventured west and settled in Flagstaff, Arizona, where her love for community and connection led her to a lucrative career in the hospitality industry. Kate’s success and flexible schedule as a bartender allowed her to pursue her outdoor passions: she worked as a guide for various outfitters on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon; would often enjoy rafting trips on the San Juan or Verde Rivers; went hiking, kayaking, canyoneering, rock climbing, and was generally out of cell service (or following Dead & Company on tour). When Kate was in town, she poured herself into her friendships and her work, cultivating a mass network of friends and acquaintances across all walks of life. Her sense of humor and conviviality lent themselves well to the service industry, but it was her luminosity that made her memorable. Kate truly shone from the inside out. Never was there such a beautiful spirit. In early 2023, Kate moved back to her hometown of Canton, CT, where she found work at the Grindstone Tavern in Collinsville and The Brass Horse in New Hartford. She quickly became a staple at the Grindstone and was beloved by all who encountered her. Kate is survived by her parents, Tom Noonan of Collinsville, CT and Susan Noonan and Ron Drachenberg of Prescott Valley, AZ; her sister, Amy Noonan of Phoenix, AZ; and extended family and friends around the world. We are all so lucky to have known her, and our lives will never be the same without her. We love you, Kate. A memorial visitation will be held at Molloy Funeral Home in West Hartford from 9-11am on Saturday, June 1st, 2024, with a celebration of life to follow at the Grindstone Tavern in Collinsville from 4-10pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

Kate Noonan

June 1, 1989 - May 7, 2024