Noelle Rene (Mitchell) Kunkler

On April 22, 2026, Noelle Rene Kunkler (née Mitchell) entered the gates of heaven far too soon. A strong, intelligent, and deeply loving woman with an enormous heart, Noelle touched countless lives and will be profoundly missed.

She is the beloved wife of Richard Kunkler; the devoted daughter of Cecilia Long; the loving mother of Dakota Saunders; and the cherished step‑mother of Jonathan Kunkler and Jason Kunkler. She is preceded in death by her precious grandmother, Leslie Adams Long; grandfather Leonard Long; great grandmother Maggie Adams, and her grandmother on the Mitchell's side Elsie Mitchell. Noelle found joy in caring for her family and was always the first to look out for anyone in need.

Noelle was a loyal and treasured friend to many, especially Ron Davis (Twin), Roneka Randall (Kitty Cat), and Valaria Alston—her closest companions from her years as Senior Team Lead for NCARB (The National Council for Architectural Registrations Board) since 2004.

Born in Washington, DC on June 22, 1967, Noelle grew up during what she proudly called the greatest era of rock and heavy metal. She was a walking encyclopedia of the music of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. Her favorite bands included The Beatles, Rush, Kiss, Heart, Metallica, and many others.

Noelle began her academic journey at Montgomery Community College, where she earned her Associate’s Degree in 2004. She went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies from the University of Maryland, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Her academic excellence earned her membership in Pi Gamma Mu, the International Honor Society in Social Sciences, where she was elected to the Maryland Theta Chapter.

One of her proudest milestones came in 2021, when she finally became a homeowner. On September 5th of that year, she and her family moved into a beautiful home in the Rosedale community of Baltimore County, MD, after many years of living in an apartment in Mount Rainier, MD. She was especially grateful to her son, Dakota, whose hard work transformed their new yard into a vibrant garden. At first, the abundance of plants—especially the towering sunflowers—felt a bit overwhelming, but she soon grew to love them. She delighted in taking photos and watching the steady stream of visitors the garden attracted, from bees and butterflies to hummingbirds. One of her favorite features of the property was the old maple tree in the backyard, which she affectionately named “Ursula.”

A woman of many interests and talents, Noelle loved cooking and exploring different cuisines, photography, collecting dolls and music, and caring for dogs—especially beagles. Her last beagle, also named Richard, held a special place in her heart. She had a flair for fashion, makeup, and sunglasses, and enjoyed learning about skincare and hair care. She appreciated good wine and cheeses, and found comfort in listening to the rain at night. She loved herbs such as lavender, basil, sage, and rosemary, appreciating their scents and beauty.

Noelle loved watching cooking shows, especially those featuring Lidia Bastianich, Rick Bayless, and Diane Kochilas. Her cookbook collection reflected her wide-ranging tastes, from Italian and Greek Island cuisine to Mexican and vegetarian cooking. She also enjoyed travel shows like Giada’s Weekend Getaways. A passionate reader, she explored books on self‑healing, Afrocentric studies, and science fiction. Her favorite science fiction authors were Ray Bradbury and Octavia Butler.

Noelle lived a life full of curiosity, creativity, and compassion. Her warmth, humor, and generous spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of all who loved her.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Noelle Rene (Mitchell) Kunkler, please visit our floral store.