In memoriam: Phoebe Noble

Phoebe Noble, former member of the faculty of Victoria College and the University of Victoria, passed away on July 31.She was a remarkable woman, full of energy—wife and mother, mathematician, superb gardener, lecturer and writer on gardening—who gave so much back to her community. For me and my contemporaries, she was a mentor, colleague and friend. Phoebe taught mathematics for 33 years after having been recruited to the faculty of Victoria College in 1945. She also took on many administrative positions including Dean of Women, President of the Faculty Association and Head of the Department of Mathematics (twice). She was a leader in the initial push to provide student dorms on campus. Phoebe also applied her many abilities for the benefit of the wider community. She was a charter member and first President of the Victoria chapter of Zonta International. In1966 she co-chaired (with husband Jack) the Greater Victoria United Way appeal. Starting in 1990, and continuing for several years, Phoebe organized the restoration of the gardens at Government House. Phoebe was a passionate teacher and a pioneer in a field that, in those days, few women entered. She often showed up for her math lectures in her black academic gown, not worn out of any pretense of status, but rather for a very practical reason: to protect her clothes from the clouds of chalk dust that resulted from her demonstrations at the blackboard. Phoebe's many gardening interests included hardy geraniums, one of which bears her name. When I told her I had two Phoebe Noble geraniums in my garden she replied "That's too bad! They will take over your garden. I keep mine in check with my lawnmower!" Phoebe loved scotch. She was one-of-a-kind, and those of us who knew her are all the better for it. Phoebe is survived by her daughter Sandra McDonald. Submitted by David Leeming, Professor Emeritus, Department of Mathematics and Statistics