Only 26, he died at home on East Sussex Street, surrounded by a family that opened its heart to Missoula and was in return lifted up.
He is survived by his sister Liza, his mother Deb Chittick and his father Larry Ginnings.
They remembered a man who seemed to drag the sun along with him wherever he went. He was effusive, hilarious and goofy, the sort who dances like nobody's watching. He wanted, he told his mother when only a boy, to be popular, and he was never anything but, for all the right reasons.
Said his friend, John Harrington, who met Noah 15 year ago: “I love that you told your Mom you wanted to be popular as a little boy. Now as an adult you have achieved a lot more than being popular, you have been an inspiration to everyone in your life. I owe you eternal gratitude for you just being you.”
Noah was first diagnosed with cancer in 2001 and battled the disease to what seemed like a standstill for years.
Earlier this year, Noah said that he saw living with cancer as an inconvenience. But in mid-September, the inconvenience became terminal.
Although a round of treatment over the spring and summer helped fight a second tumor in Noah's brain, yet another had surfaced at the site of his original tumor, which was removed in early 2002. This one could not be removed.
“I always thought of this as something I would be able to live with,” he said in September. “It's a big deal, but it's not everything.”
And that is how he lived, knowing he was dying, that we all are, but that right now mattered more.
In late October, his friends and the University of Montana brought one of Noah's dreams to life. After more than seven on-and-off years of college, he graduated with a degree in education, at a ceremony held just for him.
“It's the best thing,” Noah whispered to a well-wisher.
Noah served as an Advocate on campus, and his tours to incoming students and their parents were legendary. Some prospective students came to Montana for a look, then decided on another school, but not Noah's.
“If he showed them around, they were hooked,” said Jed Liston, the UM director of enrollment services who served as commencement speaker at Noah's graduation.
In addition to the graduation ceremony, Noah's friends, who are devoted in a way that corresponds directly to what Noah gave them in friendship, pulled off another coup back in late September, arranging for Noah, an absolutely rabid Griz fan, to attend a final Grizzly football game.
Because the world is sometimes good, the sun shone, the Grizzlies pulled out a win and Noah was surrounded by friends all afternoon.
He tired by the third quarter, but said later that he'd take maroon and silver with him wherever he went.
“He just bled Grizzly colors,” his friend Drew Cardy said.
Late Wednesday afternoon, a group of Noah's friends gathered at a house on Blaine Street. They were college friends, mostly, and they knew Noah in a variety of settings - as a fellow student, as an opponent on the basketball court, as a friend heading out for a night on the town, as a fan at the Griz games.
What they didn't know, at least when they first met him, was that he would guide them to an understanding of grace, to the path that recognizes what's important before it slips away.
“I think the amazing thing is that we're all sitting here and we're laughing and remembering all these things about the way Noah affected our lives,” said Cardy. “There aren't that many people that you can say that about. But he had that passion for life, and this is what he would want us to be doing.”
Alex Gosline is the sort of student who does too much. Accepts too many responsibilities, takes on the extra job, never says no.
“Noah made me quit one of my jobs,” Gosline said. “He made me realize that I had the choice between time with people who mattered to me, time that I might never get back, and time where I was sort of getting ahead. He was always, ‘Don't miss this stuff. This is your life.' ”
Of course, he was right.
To his friends, Noah wasn't necessarily bigger than life. He was just life itself, engaged, in the moment, gathering up everything special and spinning it back out again.
Even when times were hard. Olin Martin met Noah playing intramural basketball, and he wasn't exactly a fan.
“He was on the other team and he just talked trash the whole time,” Martin said. “But over time, through other people, I came to know this whole other side of him.”
Years later, when Noah's body was wracked by cancer, Olin came across Noah in the fieldhouse.
“I asked him how he was doing and he said, ‘I'm not doing that good, but I'm lacing up my basketball shoes,' ” Olin said. “He was all in, all the time.”
And he was never more all in than at a Grizzly game. Noah was that withering sort of fan who could drive a whole team to distraction. But he was just as likely to turn his attentions to the cute girl at the scorer's table. Everybody remembers the night he used a whiteboard to propose to a bashful young woman at the scorer's table.
“She wouldn't even come out after halftime,” said Lance Griffin.
Said Tara Akins of Noah's fandom: “He's like Monte without a costume. You just had to love him.”
In fact, there's a Facebook Web site called “People who love Noah Ginnings.”
It has 481 members at last count and would undoubtedly have more if more people used Facebook.
Over the past three months, that page has been alive with good wishes for Noah. But as busy as it's been, the Facebook site has nothing on the house Noah shared with his mother, father and younger sister.
Noah's presence at home turned East Sussex Avenue into a very busy street.
“We could be surrounded by people at all hours of the day,” Noah's mom, Deb Chittick, said a few months ago. “His friends, they have really been an incredible comfort to us. No one has better friends than Noah.”
And on Thursday, they wrote and e-mailed and called and texted one another in disbelief.
The mid-20s is the age of immortality. Death isn't real. Even when it is, it comes quickly, by accident.
But Noah's death played out over time, in a way that let his friends try it on, find a way to grapple with the enormity. Moments of hope, golden fragments of time when time seemed at a standstill, slowly yielded to an inevitability that glistened both black and bright.
“He was somebody who's very presence made you feel comfortable,” said Olin Martin. “You were with Noah and everything was going to be good. That's what we have to keep hold of.”
Said Brooke Overcast, who Noah met in the School of Education: “He treasured his friends and we all need to realize that. He was so touched by how much you guys cared about him.”
Alex Gosline said that for now, he plans to remember “Noah stories” for as long as he can. And then he will deal with Noah's death.
“I know I won't be alone in trying to come to terms with this,” he said.
And even if he is, he won't be.
“Noah's still here,” Cardy said. “You can see it in every one of us.”
Reporter Michael Moore can be reached at 523-5252 or at mmoore@missoulian.com
Memories of Noah
(Compiled from e-mails and Facebook messages)
Gillian Fetz: My name is gillian fetz and i am proud to say that noah ginnings was my first kiss. he was always my “boy next door” (in truth, two blocks away), and in every class i had all through school. we have been friends since we were in preschool and i have loved him everyday since.
My mom (sallie scott) passed away in june of this year, and i have no doubt that she is with him today, showering him with hugs and kisses, and showing him all the ropes.
John Harrington: I met Noah just over 15 years ago as we were entering the 6th grade together at Washington Middle School. Within a few weeks Noah became one of my closest friends and our friendship has grown stronger ever since.
I was one of Noah's friends your article mentioned who was with him the night before his first surgery. I remember the evening well. Noah was his usual self and he put everyone at ease. The past 7 years have been difficult but they haven't been without joy.
About a month ago I flew home from NYC to spend time with Noah. As you know he has been weakened by this disease, but his spirit was never broken. He told me he was fighting this and hopeful that things would improve. I am so grateful that I was able to travel home to see Noah. He is a part of my family. We took him out to Mackenzie River Pizza last month and my Mom presented him with a drawing of our family tree, with a branch for Noah on it.
Amber Callaghan: My sister and I were at the wedding fair, planning her wedding. We needed a DJ. We saw Noah and it didn't matter what the cost was, we wanted him. While talking to Noah he was doing his normal bouncing around, being silly. He gave me about a million hugs and none of them were any less spectacular than the one before. The Sir Mix A Lot song, “Big Butts” came on and he started dancing around, doing his best impression. He always did great impressions. In the process, he split his pants open right between the legs. As soon as he realized what he did, he pointed it out to everyone walking past and continued dancing. Nothing slowed down Noah's positivity. I was so worn out that day, but seeing Noah was like life being injected into my day. So many times, I remember walking around Missoula, literally hoping to run into him. I never took long to find Noah, just look for the crowd of really happy people.
Although he's gone, I have to say, I'm happy he doesn't hurt anymore. We are so blessed to have had him as long as we did. We all have a richer life for knowing Noah.
Eden Atwood: Noah Ginnings lived by the credo “Make 'em laugh.” When people remember Noah, that's what they will do. What a legacy.
Megan Bulger: I hadn't seen Noah for a few years, since I left Missoula for college, but I just have this very vivid memory of going to a Griz football game one Thanksgiving when I was home and seeing him on the big screen, doing a crazy dance to Cotton-Eyed Joe. And I remember thinking how he was one of the neatest people I'd ever met. In everything he did in high school, from singing in the boys' a capella quartet to refereeing little kids' basketball for his senior project, he was passionate, funny, full of life, and wonderful.
Libby Schneider: Noah passed away this morning. His body lost the battle with cancer, but he beat this disease. No cancer can undo the work that he has done in this world. He will live on in every one of us. His smile will be forever imprinted in our memory. His bear hugs will hold each one of us. He will always be our friend. Noah Ginnings is forever. I love you Noah.
Bromley Henningsen: What I do remember is that Noah always kept his cool and was such an enjoyable person to be around, always. When his well-intentioned recess friends chanted, “Who built the Ark?” he never got upset, but took it with a grain of salt and a smile. Although I haven't had the opportunity to spend much time with him since high school (just here and there during the holidays), I will forever have a fondness for this soul who touched so many lives with his humor, love, and grace.
Chris Torma: Two summers ago, I met and became a friend of Noah Ginnings.
I must admit that, other than Noah's staggering authenticity among the many aspects of his personality that I have come to appreciate, the more perversely tongue-in-cheek corners of his sense of humor resonated with me the most. As a fellow big, lanky guy, I have taken particularly sympathetic delight in witnessing Noah's insight into the absurdly hilarious, physically awkward levity that the human shapes can bring to any situation. I think anyone who has seen his belly-button's impression of a “bagel” can attest to this sentiment.
Especially meaningful, though, is my memory of his awareness of a moment's value. Noah had a knack for responding to a person's daily gripes with a heartfelt, empathetic ribbing. My casual complaints about life were usually met with, “Wow, man. That sucks. ... [sigh] ... Gosh. ... I have cancer.” My memory of Noah's ownership of his condition and his “awesome” determination to improve upon it from one moment to the next, in spite of the difficult feelings that I can only imagine it must have evoked within him at times, inspires me to become better at living.
This remembrance brings to mind the thoughts of another master of the art of being human: “It is wrong to expect a reward for your struggles. The reward is the act of the struggle itself, not what you win. Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt. That's morality, that's religion. That's art. That's life.” - Phil Ochs
Mary Kima Dolson: I think almost everyone who has lived in Missoula has a story about Noah. Noah won my heart 8 years ago in a tap class at the U of M. I have to believe that our lives have no real length. That we somehow can go on infinitely. I have to believe that today because Noah was a person that should. He had an immeasurable love of life and love of people that for most of us we could only hope to imitate.
He took me under his wing when I was overwhelmed and saddened by nearly everything. He made me better. With his love and laughter I was able to heal.
Patrick Griffin: I understand that you are writing an article about Noah and I wanted to share a few things that might help tell his story. Noah and I were on the same Intramural basketball team during my four years at U of M and we won the championship almost every year. I think it's important to explain that Noah crossed every social circle that there is, it didn't matter if it was athletics or drama he was a positive influence on every type of person and that is one of the many reasons why he will be missed so much. I was lucky enough to get to see him with one of his biggest loves: basketball. A lot of people might not know that he was actually really good, he obviously had physical obstacles to overcome, but he never bitched about having to go in for a treatment or feeling weak and tired. I didn't even know he had health problems for the first couple years I knew him, he just showed up and played his ass off. I remember one game in particular where he literally grabbed every rebound that was near him and I thought to myself, “I don't have any health problems and he plays way harder than I do and I bitch way more than he does.” I know I speak for a lot of people when I say that he put life in perspective for me, the simple things, like basketball, that I took for granted were actually a gift. I will not remember Noah as a person with an unfortunate disease who everyone liked; I will remember him as model on how to live life, regardless of any obstacles or gifts that are encountered. He is an amazing person and will never be forgotten.
Greg Kattell: I remember getting word from our friend Kelly Hughes that he had just gone in to an emergency surgery about two years ago. I high tailed it over to community medical and met her there and when we got to see Noah, we were both really worried. Obviously he was had so many drugs in him from the surgery but he still was able to give both of us peace that he was going to be ok. Being at a loss for words I quoted a song lyric, “Hey Noah, bringing sexy back huh?” He replied with,“Yeah,” sounding like the Timberlands reply in Timberlake's song. Thats when I finally regained my ability to breath. When it was clear that he needed to sleep Kelly said her good bye and I asked him jokingly if I could stop bye the next day and give him his sponge bath and he said, “You're the only man that can say that to me, I'll see you tomorrow.” Thats how I knew everything was going to be ok. I'm astounded with his ability to take care of the rest of our worries and much more while just having been through surgery.
Maia Mils-Low: Noah used to live across the street from me when I was in middle school. I remember him being as a cute funny kid that we would go camping with. I was the only girl but he always made me feel welcome with him my brother Jesse and our other neighbor James. He was full of life and will be sorely missed by all of us who had the pleasure of having him in our lives ... even for a moment.
Make ‘Noise for Noah' at Saturday's Griz-Cat Game
Griz fans can make “Noise for Noah” by participating in a fundraiser for the family of Noah Ginnings on Saturday at the 108th Montana-Montana State football game.
A group of Noah's friends will be selling plastic hand clappers before the event and during halftime. Tables near the main entrances to the stadium will be set up with donation buckets for the clappers. The clappers are white and have “Noise for Noah” printed on the side. There are 5,000 clappers and a minimum donation of $1 is being asked, though more is appreciated.
Ginnings, a University of Montana and Missoula Hellgate graduate, died Thursday after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. An energetic supporter of his hometown teams, Ginnings was often seen wearing oversized white gloves at UM football, basketball and other events.
“With Noah being such a fan of the Grizzlies, this is a great time to do this,” said Matt Visser, one of the fundraiser's organizers.
The friends, who hope to raise $15,000, plan to donate every penny to the Ginnings family to use for expenses. An additional 3,000 “Noise for Noah” stickers will also be available for a small donation.
“The intention all along was to provide money to him or his family for costs,” Visser said.
The clappers purchased by Allegiance Benefit Plan Management.
Missoulian
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Maygan Montano wrote on Nov 21, 2008 8:00 AM:
" I have know Noah since 2002. We had dance class together and he was such a nut. He was always making the class laugh. That is also when I found out that he had brain cancer. I couldn't understand how he could have so much life and be battling something so terrible. That is our Noah, and we all have come to learn that about him. When I tore my ACL dancing, Noah carried me over to Curry. He wasn't supposed to lift anything, but he insisted. Always helping others. He had such a large heart.
Now I work in the School of Education. I was trying to arrange Noah's student teaching placement when he found out the cancer was back. I know how much Noah loved kids and wanted, with all of his heart to be a teacher. I was a part of the faculty/staff that proceeded with Noah's degree.
To be a part of his life and know that he touched so many peoples lives brings joy to my life. I wrote a small poem this morning, but it doesn't even come close to how much he meant to this world.
To Noah,
My friend, always Dancing through life,
Big bear hugs, kind heart, class clown.
Could put a smile on Anyone’s face.
Belly laughs. Who could resist?
Always joking.
Peace be with you my friend,
Dance from above. Smile down on us.
You will be missed, but never forgotten.
I will always love you "
Now I work in the School of Education. I was trying to arrange Noah's student teaching placement when he found out the cancer was back. I know how much Noah loved kids and wanted, with all of his heart to be a teacher. I was a part of the faculty/staff that proceeded with Noah's degree.
To be a part of his life and know that he touched so many peoples lives brings joy to my life. I wrote a small poem this morning, but it doesn't even come close to how much he meant to this world.
To Noah,
My friend, always Dancing through life,
Big bear hugs, kind heart, class clown.
Could put a smile on Anyone’s face.
Belly laughs. Who could resist?
Always joking.
Peace be with you my friend,
Dance from above. Smile down on us.
You will be missed, but never forgotten.
I will always love you "
Kris Hawkins Hollenbeck wrote on Nov 21, 2008 8:24 AM:
" I went to high school with Noah. I think every kid at Hellgate, no matter what year they were, were friends with Noah. He was homecoming king, prom king, and friend to all. He and his friend Drew were the DJs for my wedding in 2007. I can't tell you how many comments I had from people out of town that didn't know Noah and said,"What a great job the DJ did! He got everyone to dance and laugh and ultimately made everyone have a good time." Here are just a few of my favorite things about Noah: Energetic, goofy, extremely hilarious, loving, full of joy, most eligible bachelor, silly, kind, funny, nice, ladies man, enthusiastic, vivid, caring, strong, fighter, avid sports fan, witty, sarcastic, friendly, genuine, cheerful, passionate, outgoing, role model, mentor, family & friend. Everyone who was fortunate enough to meet or know Noah, is more fortunate and richer in their own life because of him. He was a gift to us all. "
Tanner Lind wrote on Nov 21, 2008 9:03 AM:
" Everyone who knew Noah saw a passion for life, sports, and basketball! I often got phone calls from Noah that went like this, "I need to go shoot hoops I'm getting fat and I only have half a brain want to the rec?" Always up beat about his cancer and quick to make a joke made life eaiser for his friends and family. So I would present a challenge to all to be like Noah and live life not with our brains but our hearts and souls. "
Morgan Stier wrote on Nov 21, 2008 9:07 AM:
" I visited Noah with a friend about two weeks ago. He was still in good spirits. He said, "Great Morgan, you get to see me all nice and fat." And I looked at him and said, "Noah, were you ever really that skinny?" He smiled. The three of us visited and along the way he was still cracking jokes. He will be greatly missed by so many. We love you, Noah!!! "
Tim Burchfield wrote on Nov 21, 2008 9:33 AM:
" When I first came to Missoula in 2002 Noah was our team leader for the freshman, when all of the leaders were coming down they were asking questions they wanted to know the answers to Noah's was "Where do babies come from?" I knew right then that we were going to be great friends. Noah I can say was my first and one of my best friends at montana, and coming from Colorado and not knowing anybody I had no idea who he was, but all I know is that he opened his heart and friendship to me when I knew nobody. Noah was like the Ron Artest of basketball in the gym you hated to play him if you were on the other team, but loved to play with him. I can't tell you how many times he helped me with school, basketball, girls, life, and list goes on and on. I feel so honored to have known him and I feel very special to have called him one of my friends. Noah RIP here is to you man I will never forget you, Love you man
Tim Burchfield "
Tim Burchfield "
J.T. Liesz wrote on Nov 21, 2008 10:45 AM:
" I've known Noah since high school. I knew when I met him, I'd never meet a funnier, more energetic person. Always the life of the party, whether it was a party or not, he had the ability to brighten the darkest day, mood or room. There was never any doubt that Noah was the happiest person on earth, Disney Land doesn't have anything on a day with Noah. We love you buddy! "
Caitlin Twohig wrote on Nov 21, 2008 1:26 PM:
" Noah gave the best hugs in town and his smile and positive energy were always contagious. He was one of Missoula’s finest, if not best and he will forever be missed. "
Katie Lear Knechtges wrote on Nov 21, 2008 3:31 PM:
" I met Noah in High School and will never forget him! He put a smile on every ones face when he walked in the room. He will be remembered forever in the hearts of the people that he touched, even those who didn't know him will know his story, and we will know what it meant to him to live life to the fullest, be happy, and smile. You will be missed but never forgotten! "
Becky Hensley wrote on Nov 21, 2008 4:25 PM:
" A hug from Noah could solve a world of problems!
Loved that kid!
xox "
Loved that kid!
xox "
Deidre Riley wrote on Nov 21, 2008 5:21 PM:
" One of my favorite memories of Noah, aside from having a Salsa dancing class with him and the hilarity there, was eating at the UC one day with him and my sister and complaining about how solicitors always misspell my name on junk mail. Noah said, "I know what you mean! I am always getting stuff for NEIL GINNILINGS!" It was always be one of my favorite memories of him simply because anytime I think about it I can't help but laugh and smile. I am very thankful to have known such an amazing person with such an infectious humor and personality. Thank you for for all the laughs and memories Neil...I mean Noah :) "
Keala Wallwork wrote on Nov 21, 2008 8:05 PM:
" I was fortunate to have met Noah when both of us were at Paxson Elementary School. Eventhough he was a couple years younger, we still were friends and remained friends even after high school. Noah was my senior prom date, a friend I could laugh with, and someone who always made me smile eventhough we were miles away from each other. Noah had a spirit which could lift anyone. My love to Noah and his family, there truly is no one like him.
UA OLA LOKO I KE ALOHA.
Love gives life within.
Ke'ala C. Wallwork
Kailua, Hawaii "
UA OLA LOKO I KE ALOHA.
Love gives life within.
Ke'ala C. Wallwork
Kailua, Hawaii "
Maggie Jimenez wrote on Nov 21, 2008 8:13 PM:
" I've known Noah since we were in grade school. There is no one in the world who has made me laugh more than Noah. No one who was more fun to sing and perform with. No one who supported me and many others to put our shyness aside and sing in front of people the way he did. He would be in the front row in the audience, or he would be the person standing next to me on the stage squeezing my hand when I got nervous. It was always easier to be brave and to get on stage and smile with Noah standing next to you. He was the person who could make you smile no matter what - and would make you laugh till you cried. He was my first date to my first high school dance (I still have the wedding certificate from when Sr. Byrne married us in the Hellgate gym). Everyone needs a Noah in their life. I will miss him more than I can say. He was humor, happiness and kindness personified. He was "once in a lifetime". "
SYLVIA THEORET wrote on Nov 22, 2008 6:45 AM:
" I DID NOT NOW NOAH BUT IN READING ABOUT HIM I KNOW THAT I MISSED OUT ON A BLESSING ......I WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO THE GINNINGS FAMILY BUT DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO SEND IT TO...COULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHERE I CAN MAIL IT TO?
THANK YOU! "
THANK YOU! "
Brooke Chyann Schiewek wrote on Nov 22, 2008 1:25 PM:
" "My daughter Chyann and i have sat near Noah at the past Lady Griz games and what a treat it has been. Thank you Noah for showing Chyann the lighter side of life and that a college student will still take the time to "high-five" an 11yr old. You will always be known as the "crazy guy" in my daughters eyes!! "
Ashley Sherrill-Nikolaisen wrote on Nov 22, 2008 3:19 PM:
" Words can not explain the love and laughter Noah could bring to a room! Every moment since the first time we met in 2001 was a gift and will forever be cherished. Noah, you will be missed but your legacy will live on. My thoughts and prayers for the Ginnings family and to all Noah's love has touched. "
Clare Koppel wrote on Nov 23, 2008 1:25 PM:
" I met Noah when I was an RA in Jesse Hall. He was on a Intramural Softball team with some other guys. I will always remember the laughs and sarcastic comments we shared when I was working at the desk and he always came to keep me company. He always put a smile on my face, whether it was during those time at the front desk, or if I heard the ridiculous things he would yell at griz basketball or football games, or if i just happened to bump into him in the UC with his headphones on and he would come up behind me and scare me. He never let anything stand in his way and was the poster child for living your life and not letting anything get in your way. He taught me more than he'll ever know. I am so privledged to have been part of his life. I wish I was in Missoula to celebrate Noahs life this weekend at the cat/griz game. All my love and support to Noahs family and fellow friends in Montana. "
Rich Proff wrote on Nov 21, 2008 6:53 AM: