Obituary of Arleene Cecelia Noga

Arleene, late of Regina, SK passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at the age of 93 years. Predeceased by her husband Ron Noga; sisters Ethel (Harold) Desrosiers Dennis,Frances (Wayne) Moerike and Maxine (Cliff) Treleaven;. Arleene is survived by her daughter Carol Lee (Lloyd) Scott; her son Rob Noga; her grandchildren Jeremy and Derek (Lisa Burton) Scott, Kody (Anita) Exner and Kalium Noga; her great-grandchildren Emily and Owen; her brother Dewey (Norma) Johnson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Arleene was born January 1, 1924 in Ogema SK. She grew up on the family farm near Ogema and attended school in a one-room schoolhouse. Arleene was an accomplished athlete. Her most memorable accomplishment was playing ladies professional baseball in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) from 1945-1948. Known as “Johnnie”, she was the top fielder at third base for three consecutive years and set a single season record fielding average of .942 in 1947. She also played over 300 consecutive baseball games and became known as The Iron Lady. Recognition for Arleene’s contribution to sports includes induction as a “player” to the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame, the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, and the Regina Sports Hall of Fame. She is also part of the Women in Sport display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown NY. Arleene served 12 years as the Canadian representative on the Board of Directors for the AAGPBL Players Association. Following her years playing in the AAGPBL, Arleene continued playing and coaching ladies softball in Regina until 1979. Arleene participated as a technical advisor and an extra during the production of the major motion picture “A League of Their Own” where she met with some of the stars such as Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell and director Penny Marshall. Besides baseball and softball she was also an outstanding curler who skipped and played on many championship rinks, and also found time to become an excellent bowler. In 2004, Arleene was honoured by her hometown of Ogema when the historical heritage grandstand was dedicated the “Arleene Johnson-Noga Grandstand” in recognition of her athletic accomplishments, baseball in particular. She accomplished many of these athletic endeavors while working approximately 30 years with the Government of Saskatchewan, including 5 years with the Premier’s Secretariat, and raising a family as well. Arleene’s other activities include volunteering with the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and her love of flowers and plants lead her to many years volunteering with the Regina Garden Associates at the Regina Floral Conservatory where she contributed to the design and maintenance of the floral display. Most recently Arleene was a feature character in the extremely successful play “Diamond Girls” and was also featured in Maclean’s magazine as a Canadian “who made history, or brushed up against it-and helped build a nation.” Arleene loved being outdoors and spent countless hours tending vegetable and flower gardens wherever she lived and particularly enjoyed many years camping at Sherwood Forest west of Regina. She cherished time with family and watching and encouraging her children and grandchildren play their sports and providing endless support for all their endeavors. Arleene’s family would like to express their gratitude to the medical staff of the CCU and unit 3F of the Regina General Hospital for their kind care provided to Arleene. A Come and Go Celebration of Life will be held at the Speers Family Centre, 2333 Cornwall Street, Regina, SK on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Flowers gratefully accepted. Donations in Arleene's memory may be made to the Regina Floral Conservatory, 1450 B, 4th Avenue, Regina, SK, S4R 8G8 or the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, 2205 Victoria Avenue, Regina, SK, S4P 0S4.