Suzanne Noel Michelsen

Noël has left the building. Quirky and funny to the end, that is the headline she wanted in her obituary. Suzanne Noël Michelsen was born in San Francisco on December 22, 1942 to Virginia Mendonca Michelsen and Twain Michelsen. She grew up in Pacific Heights, cared for by her beloved Gemma. Noël (Tanta, Noeli, Zuni) lived a rich, colorful, and bohemian life full of love, friendship, curiosity, and beauty. Noël was an artist - a jeweler but much more. Her homes were impeccable - full of beads, fabrics, paintings, photographs, colors and objects from her many travels around the world. Her jewelry now adorns hundreds of women and men in all parts of the globe. She knew where each bead came from - its history and provenance. All of her objects had a story. She planted roots for weeks and/or years in San Francisco, Davis, Exuma, Santa Barbara, Maine, Seattle, Locke, India, Europe, Kenya, Sonoma, and Edmonton. And always anchored back to her beloved Pyramid Lake where Naomi, her canine companion, rests now.

Noel had a deep spiritual nature, with a love for the quest of the underlying truth of existence. She never stopped trying to learn more about what life is on the most profound level. She learned from Ram das, Gangaji, Papaji, Rupert Spira, and others to gain their words of wisdom. Noël was mischievous and funny, with a deep belly laugh that could light up any room. With Miss Foxy, she brought laughter and wicked humor to us all. She was also strong willed and easily offended by bad behavior, and everything needed to be in its place. She made up names for many friends, and words and phrases that were uniquely hers. She wore patchouli and lavender for years, and always had red lipstick in the ready. And so much style! Chrissy, a friend since 5th grade, writes: “You lead me into a wonderland of treasures— shelves of multi-colored beads, beds and divans covered with rich textiles of every hue and texture, glowing candles, the music of sitars and flutes, and the whir of a swamp cooler in an overhead window to cool the Delta’s hot weather. Even the black baby grand has taken up residency.” Noel passed away August 8th, nearly two years after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was loved and cared for in life, during illness, and in hospice by her longtime partner Trevor. She also leaves behind her older sister Evie, cousins, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and a generation of young people for whom she gave meaning, love, attention and a feeling of belonging. Noël leaves a profound legacy with her many beloved friends in India, Canada, and throughout the US. She made each person feel that they were her very best friend, delighted in a smile or a style of a new friend, and loyal to those she had known and loved for years. She was part of so many chosen families: sister, aunt, godmother, matriarch - all of which will have a void that no one can fill.

This tribute includes words from many friends’ posts on social media - truly a group love note. For those who loved Noel, please honor her in whatever way speaks to you, by giving to someone. She said in the week before she died “My whole life has been for love.” And we know that to be true. For those near the Bay Area, we will celebrate Noël’s life on Saturday October 8th starting at 3PM in Berkeley; location will be posted for friends on Facebook in early October.