I don’t have many words right now, but I wanted to share with my community that a dear friend, Gayle Noble, has taken her final step beyond this life and - if you believe as I do - begun her next journey among the stars.
Gayle was the embodiment of strength, intelligence, and originality. She began her remarkable career as a radio station engineer, later becoming one of the early pioneers in the computer engineering world - paving the way for many in what was, and often still is, a male-dominated industry. She didn’t just break barriers; she vocally redefined them.
What do I remember most? Honestly - it was the way she carried herself. With her signature long ponytails wrapped in cloth lizards or her whimsical, feathered hats, she turned heads and challenged assumptions. But if you took the time to truly see her, you were welcomed into a circle of profound kindness and, as her daughter so perfectly described, aggressive generosity.
Gayle made a habit of stopping by my IT team with treats from Costco - never empty-handed, always full-hearted. I used to tease her, saying she was trying to fatten me up, but truthfully, it was just her way of showing love - always giving, always present.
She was an engineer, a writer, a music lover, and someone who profoundly influenced how I approach my work, my relationships, and how I choose to meet people - with openness, empathy, and care, leaving judgment behind.
She will be deeply missed. But I take comfort in imagining her now - unbound, soaring through the cosmos, just as wild, free, and extraordinary as she was here with us.
Rest well, Gayle. You were a gift.
