by Marc and Julie Anderson
mjanderson@theleaven.org
NORTONVILLE — A quiet presence.
That’s how Paula Larson describes Donna Noll, longtime organist for St. Joseph Parish in Nortonville.
At 59, Noll has been playing the organ for Mass since she and Larson were in seventh grade. For 47 years, she has provided music for weekend liturgies, weddings, funerals and major celebrations.
“Growing up at St. Joseph’s, I can’t remember a time, hardly, when Donna wasn’t at the organ,” Larson said. “Week after week, season after season, she has provided the music that supports our worship, carries our traditions and helps make Mass feel like home. Her dedication is remarkable, especially because so much of what she does happens quietly and without fanfare.”
“She’s always there. She’s always present. She’s always praying for everyone,” Larson added.
Noll’s love of music began early.
“I would write with crayons on the piano keys, so I could know where the notes were,” she said. “I just played and played and played.”
Her parents enrolled her in piano lessons in third grade and organ lessons in seventh grade. At age 12, she began playing for weekend Masses.
“As long as I can walk up the stairs, I’ll keep going,” Noll said with a laugh, referring to the choir loft stairs in the historic church.
She remembers “Immaculate Mary” as the first hymn she played at Mass. Even while attending Benedictine College in Atchison, she returned home each weekend to serve her parish. After marrying and moving away for six years, she resumed her ministry as soon as she and her husband returned to Nortonville.
For Noll, playing at funerals is especially meaningful.
“I think funerals are beautiful. They remind us of the ultimate goal,” she said.
Last August, she played for the funeral of longtime cantor and friend Mark Wilson.
“It was a tough one,” she said. Even so, she prayed for strength and completed the Mass, despite shedding tears while playing.
She also played for her brother’s and sister’s funerals.
“Instead of sitting down with the family, I prefer to play. That is part of my prayer for them,” she said.
Easter brings one of her favorite moments each year. She especially loves playing “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” at the Easter Vigil.
“You’re just getting done with Lent and you play it loud and you sing all the verses,” she said. “It brings out a joyful, celebratory feeling. I play it at full volume.”
Not every memory has been solemn. Once, a wasp inside the organ stung her while she was playing.
“I kept right on playing,” she said.
Another time, a page of music disappeared in the middle of a five-page hymn, forcing her to improvise until the next page. On another occasion, a gust of wind blew her sheet music out the church door.
Now, Noll is helping pass her love of sacred music to the next generation. Her daughter-in-law, Sara, serves as a cantor, and 10-year-old granddaughter Hallie is learning piano and organ while singing alongside her grandmother.
“It definitely sets an example for me to keep going to Mass and to not lose hope in Jesus,” Hallie said.
Noll credits her own parents for inspiring her faith and service. Her mother was one of her first cantors, and music ministry has become a family tradition.
After nearly five decades, Noll says she has no plans to stop.
“People ask me if I get tired of it. I don’t. In fact, if I miss a week, I miss playing,” she said. “I love it. I love playing. I love when people sing. I hope they get the emotion out of what I do.”
Father William Dun-Dery, pastor of St. Joseph, is grateful for that enduring commitment.
“I would just like to commend Donna for her immeasurable commitment to the faith and support of the liturgy to enhance our worship and uplift our spirit,” he said.
