Obituary of Janice Colleen Wentworth Noll

Janice Colleen Wentworth Noll, 45, of Aurora, Colorado passed away on July 7, 2023. She was born on April 6, 1978, in Livingston, Montana to Judith “Judy” Irish Wentworth and Gordon Wentworth. Janice lived a life filled with adventure, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth.

From an early age, Janice displayed a natural affinity for horses, devoting countless hours to 4-H trail riding and horse showmanship. Janice and her two sisters, Shawna and Lewanna, spent their summer childhood days riding their horses, hiking in the Absaroka Mountains, and floating down the Yellowstone River, in Paradise Valley by Livingston Montana. Janice was also an accomplished athlete, particularly in basketball, winning the Havre Blue Ponies' most valuable defensive player award twice. She maintained her skills on the court throughout her life and was known to challenge her family and friends to one-on-one matches.

Janice’s dedication to learning was remarkable. After graduating high school, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and two master’s degrees in educational leadership and mathematics. Throughout her educational journey, she maintained a perfect academic record. 

Janice was a driven and dedicated educator with 23 years of experience teaching algebra to middle and high school students. She began her career at Sheridan Junior High School in Wyoming, participating in a bullying reduction program, coaching math counts, and collaborating with the special education department to implement a co-teaching mathematics classroom. At Midland Freshman School in Texas, she served as the head coach for the girls' junior varsity track team. During her time at Vernal Junior High School in Utah, she was voted teacher of the year. She also held the position of math department coordinator, applying for and receiving several grants benefiting her department. For three summers, Janice and her sister Shawna team-taught development workshops for middle and high school math educators at Dickinson State University in North Dakota. The sisters even found a way to play with Barbies on the job, showing them bungee jumping to represent linear regression.

In Aurora, Colorado’s Cherry Creek School District, Janice taught at Prairie Middle School and Infinity Middle School. In these roles, she mentored student teachers and organized the staff’s annual Toys for Tots drive. She also played a pivotal role in developing and administrating Infinity. She helped give the school its name and led its math department. She took great pride in her work and loved to recount the triumphs and tribulations of being a middle school math teacher. She brought joy and enthusiasm into the classroom, making learning a fun and engaging experience for all. Her impact extended beyond the curriculum, as she offered her students guidance and encouraged them to reach their full potential. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Janice embraced an active and adventurous lifestyle and motivated others to do the same. While on vacation with her sister Lewanna, the two went on a run down the entire length of the Las Vegas Strip in the midday heat!  She was always up for a challenge, even enjoying hikes in the thinner air of Colorado’s many 14ers. She shared her love for athletics with her former husband, Jeff Noll, and they embarked on multi-day biking excursions across the United States. Janice also traversed to distant lands including Nepal, New Zealand, and Panama, forging fond memories. She loved to bring her dogs on her adventures when she could and went to great lengths to ensure that they lived healthy and full lives. 

Janice’s faith was an integral part of her life. Her relationship with Jesus was her foundation and she demonstrated her spiritual commitment through baptism in her early 20s. She remained active in her church and regularly engaged in Bible studies with her friends. Her beliefs were evident in her interactions with others. She freely offered kindness, mercy, and encouragement to those around her. Janice did not overlook a soul; she cared deeply for each of her family members and friends, always striving to cultivate unique and sincere relationships. Her family lovingly remembers her as a bright and fun spirit. She had sparkling blue eyes, an infectious laugh, positive energy, and a delightful ability to make the most of any occasion. We love you, Janice. Until we meet again. 

Janice is survived by her father Gordon Wentworth of Lewistown, MT; sisters Shawna (Ron) Egli of New Salem, ND, and Lewanna (Greg) Joest of Lewistown, MT; her nieces and nephews; and her dogs Chuli and Ring. Janice is predeceased by her mother Judy Irish Wentworth, grandparents Alden and Anna “Billy” Irish along with Leo and Lila Wentworth, her horse Blaze, and her dogs Shadow and Rusty