Katherine (Kacivisti) Noel

Katherine (Kacivisti) Noel, known to her loved ones as “Yia Yia” and to the rest of her world as “Kay,” died on January 20, 2026, at age 95 in Nashua, N.H., following a brief illness.

Born on August 25, 1930, she lived in Nashua all her life except for a five-year period during which she lived with her youngest son and his family in Norton, Mass. Though a staunch New Hampshirite and proud American, no conversation lasted long before Kay made sure you knew she was Greek. Her parents, George Kacivisti and Mary Papademas, arrived in America from Greece in 1914 and 1915. As neither became U.S. citizens until much later in life, Kay was a direct beneficiary of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution – birthright citizenship. She was the youngest of six children – following Bessie, Susan, Helen, Michael, and Evangeline. Kay outlived them all, though her dear sister Evangeline (Xeroteres) bested her in longevity; Vangie lived to age 98 and died in 2025. Kay was educated at St. Nicholas Greek School and Nashua city schools, graduating from Nashua High School in 1948. She went on to work and excel in various financial-clerical positions with Johns Manville, Nashua Public Schools, and Nashua Corporation, among others – a working mother well ahead of her time. Though Greek to the core, Kay found her lifelong love in a handsome young man of French-Canadian descent, Richard Stanislaus Noel. They married in 1948 following his service in the U.S. Navy and remained together for 57 years, until Richard’s death in 2005 at age 78. Born into the Eastern Orthodox Church, Kay converted to Catholicism so she could share the Catholic faith with Richard. Together they became active members of Saint Joseph’s parish, serving in many roles over the years – he as a lector and she later as a eucharistic minister.

Kay is survived by three loving children: David Noel and his wife, Jane Stuart, of Allentown, Pa.; Denise Noel White and her partner, David Clemen, of Hollis, N.H.; and Thomas Noel and his wife, Mary Maguire, of Norton, Mass. Yia Yia nurtured nine loving grandchildren – Erica, Bradley, Alec, Nathan, Matthew, Nicholas, Alexander, Katherine, and Colin – and knew thirteen great-grandchildren.

She cherished her time with all of them, and they with her. Kay is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends at Hunt Community and in many parts of the country. Kay and Richard enjoyed years of travel together – including trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Nova Scotia, California, Nebraska, many U.S. National Parks and of course, Greece. Kay took many other trips with friends – including to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, where she swore she bet no more than nickels – and to visit her sister, Vangie, and her family, in Florida. Kay inspired all with her faith, upbeat outlook, humor, and sense of responsibility. She served in many volunteer and leadership positions, including in the Rosary Altar Society, the Exchange Club, and later as an elder affairs ombudsman for the State of New Hampshire and with AARP. Kay was always eager to lend a hand and give advice. Learning was a lifelong passion; later in life, she enrolled in courses at Rivier College.

SERVICES: Arrangements are being handled by the Phaneuf Funeral Home, 26 Kinsley St., Nashua. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be a Funeral Mass at Saint Joseph the Worker, 777 West Hollis St., Nashua, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. Kay will be interred at the Woodlawn Cemetery, next to her husband, Richard, immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, 2 Quincy St., PO Box 3116, Nashua, NH 03061.