EXTON, PA — Dolores Noel, now 92, carries the magic of the big band era at Exton Senior Living, where her love for music continues to light up the room. For over four decades, Noel captivated audiences with her rich voice, performing songs by timeless legends like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Today, she brings that same passion to her fellow residents.
“Dolores is a vibrant and spirited woman who resides in our LifeStories neighborhood,” said Joleene Kinneman, Community Relations Director at Exton Senior Living. “A former big band singer, she spent years captivating audiences with her powerful voice and magnetic stage presence.”
Noel’s career began through serendipity and determination. A Reading, Pennsylvania native, her work ethic carried her from humble beginnings to a life of performance. “My life was very complicated,” Noel shared. “I was raised in Reading, Pennsylvania. It was different altogether. When I got older, I always had to work, work, work. And then, some musician said to me, ‘I want you to sing this lyric.’ And I tried it. And they said, ‘Good.’
“From then on, I would come and say, ‘It’s time to sing,’ and I would sing. And, they liked it. And then I got paid to sing, so I loved it.”
Her musical talents eventually led her to meet her second husband, Jack Noel, in 1972. Jack, a bandleader of The Added Touch, was instantly impressed by her. “Upon hearing Dolores sing for the first time, Jack asked her to join the band and proposed to her,” said Ana Dasilva, LifeStories Director at Exton Senior Living. Together, they performed at venues like the Columbus Club in Reading’s Italian community.
Before their partnership, Jack’s band had shared the stage with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. While Dolores never performed alongside them, she frequently sang their songs and brought her own grace to every performance. Her favorite numbers include classics like “My Way,” “Unforgettable,” and “New York, New York.”
Noel’s creativity flowed beyond music. Alongside her daughter Margie, she designed and sewed elegant gowns for her performances, adding another personal touch to her art.
At Exton Senior Living, Dolores’s presence remains infectious. “She brings so much joy and energy to every gathering,” said Kinneman. “She has a deep love for music. When she hears a tune, it’s like the whole room lights up. It’s amazing to watch how music transforms her and those around her. Her smile is contagious.”
Although she no longer graces grand stages, Noel’s performances at Exton Senior Living show the true power of music to inspire and connect. Whether playfully singing along with a radio tune or swaying to a melody, Dolores keeps the spirit of her big band days alive.
“She brings timeless classics to life, delighting fellow residents and staff,” said Kinneman. “Music has always been Dolores’s greatest love, and it remains a cornerstone of her life today.”
Exton Senior Living’s LifeStories program, which integrates music into daily activities, creates a sense of belonging for residents experiencing memory challenges. “We are proud to incorporate music into our daily programming, and with Dolores in the mix, every session feels special,” Kinneman added.
Dolores Noel reminds everyone around her of the joy and life that music can bring, whether on a grand stage or in the dining room of her community. For Dolores, the song truly never ends.
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