Dorothy Margaret (Scully) Noud had a genuine gift for generosity and connected with everyone she met, making them feel seen and loved. On April 4, she died at home peacefully and surrounded by family and her devoted husband of 53 years.

Dorothy was born to Mildred and Francis Scully in Ottertail County, Minnesota. She entered the convent at an early age and became Sister Sarah with the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls. It was through her service and training in the convent that she began her lifelong career as an educator and established her foundation with faith. After her decision to leave the convent, she married Thomas Noud and raised a diverse family, including one biological son and two adopted children from Korea. She continued her career as an elementary school teacher for St. Paul Public Schools at Jackson Elementary, in the Frogtown area of Saint Paul.

Throughout her life, Dorothy maintained exceptionally close relationships with her parents and siblings, which extended into close relationships with nieces, nephews and their children. After retirement, Dorothy and Tom enjoyed winters in Arizona, where she was able to spend even more time with her siblings.

As a mother, she ensured her children had well-rounded experiences, a solid education and a wealth of photo memories, and instilled in us the importance of spending time with family, giving and receiving gifts and having fun–whether it was our umpteenth trip to Valleyfair or daily life.

Relationships with family, friends and former colleagues were important to Dorothy. She continually made new friends and nurtured every relationship with heartfelt attention and care. She was always generous with her time, gift-giving, and winning smile. She and Tom opened their home to people and made them part of the family–including sponsoring refugees from Vietnam, neighbors from across the street, Ukraine and Ethiopia–and always had an extra bedroom for overnight (or longer) guests.

Dorothy showed creativity and positivity through her unrivaled classroom visual aids, dynamic lesson plans, artistic jewelry and ornaments, inspirational poetry and stationary, and distinctive illustration style. She spent summers and post-retirement at juried art fairs around Minnesota and donating sales for numerous fundraisers and causes.

We will remember her passion for fashion, lively laugh, fun sense of humor and infectious smile.

She is survived by husband Tom, son Shawn (Sherry) Noud, son Shane (Idalia) Noud, daughter Sasha Westin (Travis Van Neste); grandchildren Shaina, Liam, Julia, Maya, Lila, Cami; great-grandchildren Elliott, Leia, Ciara, Cody, Chelsea, Calvin; brother Lawrence Scully, sister Teresa Scully. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother James Scully, sister Mary, brother Raymond.

Services will be held at St. John the Baptist, New Brighton Friday, May 26, 2023. Visitation 10:00, funeral 11:00 (livestream will be available via the church site), burial at St. John’s cemetery, luncheon following burial. 

Memorial gifts can be directed to Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls.

Published on April 7, 2023