Ellen Noël will be greatly missed

It seems inadequate to merely call Ellen Noël gracious and generous.

She was the epitome of grace and good taste. She was a tireless community leader and perhaps the most philanthropic citizen and arts patron to ever call Odessa home.

Noël died Thursday. She spent more than six decades of her life in Odessa and this community is all the better for it.

W.D. "Bill" and Ellen Noël moved to Odessa in the late 1940s. Her husband was founder of the Odessa petrochemical complex and a tireless community benefactor. He is also credited with helping locate the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa.
After her husband's death, Ellen Noël became the driving force behind Noël Heritage Plaza in downtown Odessa.

Drive around Odessa and just take a look at all the things that benefited from the generosity of both Noëls. Theaters, museums, the Salvation Army, Harmony Home: The list could go on forever.

And then think about how many wonderful deeds were done quietly and anonymously. Because that's really how Ellen Noël worked her magic.

She was not a giver who insisted on having her name tied to her good deeds. In fact, she really didn't want the Ellen Noël Art Museum to be named after her and had to be talked into it.

Gracious and generous.

There is no way to account for all of the generous donations made by the Noëls behind the scenes. There are simply too many.
Her wonderful example of generosity and volunteerism has set a high standard in Odessa for philanthropists and volunteers.

She was recognized in 2002 by the Junior League of Odessa for a long history of philanthropic and volunteer contributions with a lifetime community service award.

Noël was a sustainer emeritus with the League. She joined the JLO in 1951 and served as president of the women's service organization from 1954 to 1955.

She was co-sponsor for the creation of the Noël Heritage Plaza in downtown Odessa. She was advisory director at the Ellen Noël Art Museum of the Permian Basin and established a permanent fund there.

She was a patron of the Midland-Odessa Symphony and a sponsor of the National Young Artists Competition. In addition, she was a patron of The Globe Theatre of the Great Southwest, the Permian Playhouse, the Presidential Museum, the Commemorative Air Force Museum, the Parker House Museum and the White-Pool House Museum.

Noël was governor of the High Sky Children's Ranch in Midland County, a patron of Harmony Home Child Advocacy Center, a member of the Permian Basin Development Board, a former director of the Salvation Army and a platinum pillar of the United Way of Odessa.

She founded many scholarships, including the Ellen and Bill Noël Scholarship fund at both Odessa College and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and the UTPB Support for Excellence Fund.

Noël was one of the first woman directors of the Salvation Army's advisory board.

In 1996, Ellen Noël was named outstanding philanthropist during a National Philanthropy Day Awards celebration.

When she accepted her 1996 award, Noël said she believed the recognition should go instead to those over-worked staff members who work for non-profit organizations everywhere.

After the ceremony and in between congratulatory hugs and kisses, Noël again tried to deflect attention.

"It's an honor," she said, a handkerchief clutched tightly in her hands. "But, I think there are so many others who deserve it. It's hard to pick just one."

Noël shrugged when asked why she has chosen to get involved when so many others haven't.

"People need to get involved," Noël said. "Everyone needs to get involved."

Bill Noël died in January 1987.

In January 2000 she was chosen for the award by the Odessa Lodge No. 955 with the approval of the state Masonic organization.
Noël was selected for the honor "for her complete dedication and service, not only to Odessa but to the whole Permian Basin" and because she "has committed her time, talent and money so that Odessa would be a better place to live."

There really aren't enough ways to say thanks to Ellen Noël. Her legacy will live on across Odessa and her generous spirit won't be forgotten.