Noel Carson (Blais) Shields, age 88, passed away peacefully in Lompoc, California on January 30, 2023. Noel was born on May 26, 1934, in Lexington, Massachusetts to Albert and Ruth Blais.

Noel earned her teaching degree from Framingham Teachers College in Massachusetts in 1955, thus beginning a long, successful career as a public school educator. Noel moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin in January 1958 with her husband and one month old daughter. Noel had a second daughter in 1962 and raised both girls as a divorced single parent while teaching full time, going to graduate school to earn a Master's Degree from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh in 1970, and volunteering for the betterment of all humankind as a member of various boards of directors. She also held seats on several committees as a member of the Oshkosh Education Association and Wisconsin Education Association Council.

After retiring from 30+ years of teaching in Oshkosh, Noel moved to Lompoc, California and married Kenneth H. Shields on June 12, 1990. Ken and Noel enjoyed many years traveling around the world, going to the theatre, and hosting dinner parties for their friends. Noel's love of cats kept her very busy volunteering at Volunteers for Inter-Valley Animals (VIVA). Noel also loved the theatre and spent many happy retirement years on stage and backstage for the Lompoc Civic Theatre (LCT). She remained on the LCT Board of Directors until her passing. Noel's love of books and history was also evident during retirement as a member on the Lompoc Museum Board.

Noel was preceded in death by her father and mother, aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins Alida (Kuipers) Coluzzi, Dennis Kuipers Sr., and Dennis Kuipers Jr., and Mother-in-law Erna Shields.

She is survived by her loving husband of over 30 years, Kenneth H Shields of Lompoc; Daughters Lisa (Jim Bates} Shields and Jennifer (John) Gunderson; grandchildren Kyle Hall, Natasha Noel Shields­ Warner, Farleigh Noel Hall, and Justin Bates; great-grandsons Brian Evans, Titan Evans, and Lucas Peters; Sister-in-Law Ellen (Steve) DeVoe; Niece Kathy (Dave) Williams; and Nephew Eric (Dana) DeVoe.

In lieu of cards and flowers, donations to VIVA and LCT, both in Lompoc; or to your local animal rescue shelter and/or community theatre arts program, are encouraged to be made in Noel's name.

The family will hold a celebration of life memorial later this year in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.