Noelle Caskey

December 26, 1947 - August 5, 2026

memorial

Hillside Club

Saturday 9/26, 11:00 am

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Women’s Cancer Resource Center of Berkeley, California.

Noelle Caskey was born in a Boston blizzard on December 26, 1947 to parents Walter and Anna Caskey. She died on August 5, 2026 following a 2-week hospitalization for pneumonia. She spent her youth in Needham and Lincoln, Massachusetts before moving in 1970 to the Berkeley, California area where she remained. She graduated from Concord Academy, Radcliffe, and The University of California, Berkeley (Ph.D). She was married to Richard Freudenheim for 20 years.

Noelle taught herself to read long before anyone tried to teach her, and books never let go of her after that – her house and her Kindle were both loaded to the gills. Just as attentive a reader of people as of books, she was known for her penetrating yet compassionate insights into those around her. That gift found its outlet in educational consulting, where she helped teachers and schools work through classroom problems, first as an independent consultant and later as part of the WestEd team, where she finished her career in 2017.

This was only one aspect of her colorful life. Noelle had a strong silly streak and relished stupid jokes as well as other uses of words. As a writer she had a gardening column when she wasn’t writing poems, having started out as the editor of her high school literary magazine. She had an abiding interest in Carl Jung and studied his ideas for decades.

After recovering from polio at age 4 she became a dancer. She started with ballet as a youngster and then hit the floor again as a competitive ballroom dancer in her 50’s. This led her to the tango. Dancing and teaching tango, she formed deep bonds with teachers and students in the tango world and she traveled to Buenos Aires in pursuit of wider experience.

Feldenkrais was her other passion. Noelle did Feldenkrais activities for many years before becoming a certified practitioner herself in 2020. It gave her pleasure to share her expertise with others and she enjoyed important friendships with her “Feldenfriends”.

Noelle will be sorely missed by her friends and her Caskey survivors including siblings Alexander (Carmen Lozano), Jennifer, Nicholas (Susan Nakamura), nephew Sasha (Marina), niece Vanessa and great nieces Talia and Isabela. She is also survived by her aunt Susan Strong, and uncles Christopher Morss and Richard Clancey and various cousins.

A memorial gathering will be held at 11 am Saturday, September 26 at the Hillside Club at 2286 Cedar St, Berkeley, CA 94709. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Women’s Cancer Resource Center of Berkeley, California.

Those unable to attend in person may request livestream information at rememberingnoelle2026@gmail.com

Hillside Club

Saturday 9/26, 11:00 am

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Women’s Cancer Resource Center of Berkeley, California.

See Condolences

Noelle is one of the best friends Ive ever had. I am profoundly grateful to have been truly deeply known and loved by someone so extraordinary.

Dear Jen, Alexander and Nick and all Noelle's friends, I still cannot believe that Noelle is no longer with us. I hear her voice and her laugh when something unusual or baffling occurs. Her wit was poignant and amusing, linked to seemingly infinite compassion. I felt I could tell her anything, that she would listen with appreciation but no judgement. We were friends since we were fifteen, over 60 years and kept in touch at intervals throughout the decades but this year I talked with her weekly since March as we worked with a couple of classmates planning and later mulling over our 60th high school reunion. The reunion was small, smaller than we had wished, but in the smallness came an intensity and freedom to explore and be vulnerable which has been invaluable. I miss her every day. I am sad that I cannot attend the memorial in person but will be there on-line, listening to others sharing their memories of an extraordinary woman.

Even after years of working with Noelle, I just learned yet more amazing things about her, her interests, her talents. She was the sweetest human - one with an impish grin and a deep well of wisdom. You could still see the child in her despite her mature presence. I'm so sorry for all of you who love her.

A memorial tree was planted in memory of Noelle Caskey . Plant a Tree

So sorry that you are gone Noelle. You were a great colleague in Vegas, Honolulu, San Francisco, and fabulous Soledad, California. I am glad that I was able to work with you and remain in touch for a couple of decades more. The Sox will miss your cheer. Sympathy to those who were also able to hold your attention and your gaze.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Noelle was a really wonderful colleague years ago when she helped us launch a literacy program that has lasted for decades. She was notably sensitive to the nuances of our goals and to teachers' responses. And it was fun to see her begin her love of tango as time went on. Condolences to all who were close to her.

I am so sorry to learn of Noelle’s passing. We were connected for years in the wellness field, and I loved her bright spirit and infinite agile mind. I wish I could come to the memorial.

Dear Jennifer, Alexander (Sandy), Nick and family my condolences. 💐 Such a shock. Just a couple of weeks ago she was an energetic leader on FaceTime remembering our times at CA. Now I am remembering our times in Lincoln including many visits to your house. Noelle had such good spirit. She will be missed.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.