By Susan Simpson
Staff Writer
As printed in The Oklahoman, October 27, 2007.

Philanthropist and former University of Oklahoma Regent Mary Jane Noble died Friday at an Ardmore hospital after a lengthy illness. She was 81.

The longtime Ardmore resident served decades in leadership roles with the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, named after her late husband, the son of Lloyd Noble.

"The entire OU family is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mary Jane Noble," OU President David Boren said in a statement. "For me, she was not only a dear friend but also one of the wisest and most farsighted advisers that I have ever had. Her service as a regent was marked by her constant focus on the well-being of students. She especially wanted to create opportunities for students from families with limited financial means.

"The reminders of her service are present all around the campus, including the expanded Lloyd Noble arena with its new practice courts and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, named in honor of her late husband. Her death is a loss not only to the university, but also to the entire state, which has been strengthened by her many acts of generosity," Boren said.

'Tireless advocate'
Gov. Brad Henry called Noble "an effective and tireless advocate for education. I join many other Oklahomans in extending my thoughts and prayers to her family," he said. Noble was appointed to the OU Board of Regents in 1996 by Gov. Frank Keating. She was chairman of the board from March 2002 to March 2003, when her term ended. She also is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

Keating said Noble was a committed Oklahoman.

"Mary Jane Noble was one of my mother-in-law's best friends," he said. "They were students at OU. I have known her for many years. She was a wise matriarch and a great advocate and best friend to Oklahoma and particularly to the University of Oklahoma. She will be sorely missed."

Noble Foundation gifts to OU include $8.17 million toward the $16.3 million project to renovate Lloyd Noble Center. Also a $7.5 million gift, combined with a $1.5 million gift from Samedan Oil Corp., a Noble Family company, went to the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.

"She was a woman of prominence, yet she didn't think of herself as prominent," said Michael Cawley, Noble Foundation president and chief executive. "She was honest and open and candid to everyone."

Educated at OU
Noble was born on Dec. 2, 1925, to Mary Bratton and Harry Curtis in Marshall, Ark. At an early age, she moved with her family first to McAlester and then to Idabel, where she lived until entering OU.

In 1946, Noble received her bachelor of science degree in business administration and married Sam Noble. After graduation, she worked in the position of receptionist-secretary for the dean of women, while Sam Noble continued classes at OU. From there she worked as secretary for the departments of economics, history, administration and Russian civilization at Dartmouth College, while her husband pursued another degree.

After college, the Nobles established a residence in Ardmore. Noble became a home executive and the mother of four children. She was a member of the St. Philips Episcopal Church, where she served in numerous capacities.

Living to serve
Throughout her life, Noble served in leadership positions with numerous civic and community organizations, including president of Ardmore Day Nursery, the Ivy Garden Club, Sunshine Industries, Arbuckle Life Solutions and Glen Foundation of Ardmore. She was vice-president of the Oklahoma Heritage Association.

She served on boards for the Noble Foundation, OU, Scott and White Hospital in (Temple, Texas), Alina Lodge, OU Alumni Association, Goddard Art Center, OU Fine Arts College and Father Martin's Ashley in Havre de Grace, Md.

She also served as chairman of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council to the Oklahoma State Mental Health Board and Ardmore Regional Park Board. She assisted with Campfire Girls. Additionally, she was a precinct election official for more than 10 years.

In 1983, Noble was honored as the Citizen of the Year in Ardmore, and in the spring of 1995, she received an honorary doctorate degree from OU. On Nov. 18, 1995, she was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

Survivors include three sons and one daughter-in-law: Lloyd Noble II, Nick Noble, and Rusty and Sally Noble; one daughter and one son-in-law: Shelley Dru Mullins and her husband, Jeff; seven grandchildren: Cody Noble, Jessie Noble-Nance, Kate Noble-Parker, Lars Noble, Morgan Noble, Ryan Mullins and Blair Mullins; two great grandchildren: Hattie Nance and Riley Noble; two aunts; and several cousins.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Craddock Funeral Home.

"She was a woman of prominence, yet she didn't think of herself as prominent." Michael Cawley, Noble Foundation president and chief executive.

Contributing: Staff Writer John Greiner

This article appeared in The Oklahoman, www.newsok.com, on October 27, 2007.