The Pat Noonan Award supports women on their path to sobriety, helping them to find their voices and build hope for themselves and others. Pat was a long-standing volunteer at the House of Sophrosyne, running the weekly Women for Sobriety meetings. In keeping with Pat’s commitment to education and teaching, the fund provides financial support education and training programs.
“The Creator threw away the mold that produced Pat Noonan because the world could only handle one of her! Pat was a ball of energy, a summersault of humour, a laser of wit, a solid rock of conviction. To be with Pat was to experience life in it fullest. No moment was dull, no encounter was without meaning. She combined a wonderful and wicked sense of fun and joy with a profound commitment to social and environmental justice. It was one of the great pleasures of my life to have known and loved Pat Noonan.”
– Maude Barlow, Council of Canadians, Canadian Writer and Activist
Amount: $500. (Five Hundred Dollars)
Pat Noonan grew up in Windsor, the youngest of four children, the only girl. Her father died the year after her birth and her mother raised the family — including a son with disabilities — alone. Pat became a special education teacher, often saying it was a calling inspired by her love for her brother Jerome, the one with disabilities. Taught by Ursuline nuns, Pat joined the Ursuline order after high school. She left the convent when she was 40 and credits the convent with opening her eyes to feminism, where she was “surrounded by strong women devoted to service to others.”
If there was any social justice cause in the area, Pat Noonan was involved. Her advocacy for women included involvement in Hiatus House, House of Sophrosyne, the Well-Come Centre, and Women for Sobriety. She started Windsor Feminist Theatre using the power of the arts to raise awareness about women’s issues. Pat Noonan changed the lives of many people in her life through her advocacy, support, and unwavering commitment to make positive change. Pat won hearts and minds with her wit, honesty, humour, and her smile.
Toward the end of her life, Pat began to lose her voice, literally. Such an irony for someone who had spent her entire adult life striving to use her voice to speak up for those who have no voice. A 2013 film entitled This is What a Feminist Sounds Like documented Noonan’s life of activism and the challenges of losing her voice.
Credit to Windsor Star, Article by Sarah Sacheli, August 14, 2018.
Obituary: Patricia Noonan Obituary – Windsor, ON
it’s so wonderful to find
that mother church is really mother earth
that cathedrals are enshrined in every forest
that fire and wind are holy spirits
and mystics are women like you and me
– Pat Noonan
To be eligible to receive the Pat Noonan Award, a woman must:
Application Deadline: August 22, 2025
The Awards Committee will review the applications and recommend a recipient. The successful recipient will be notified by e-mail no later than 4 weeks after the application deadline. The Pat Noonan Award will be presented to the successful recipient at the House of Sophrosyne Annual General Meeting.
Note: The House of Sophrosyne reserves the right to alter, amend and/or discontinue this Award at any time at it its sole discretion.
Business Administrator
Vivian joined the House of Sophrosyne’s leadership team in September 2019. She is passionate about supporting women and their families to make positive, permanent lifestyle changes. It is our privilege to welcome Vivian to our dynamic team.
Vivian comes from a business background, her education, working experience and professional training are focused in the areas of Business Administration, Economics, Revenue Management, Relationship Management, Project Management and Online Retail Marketing. Vivian is a professional expert in the hospitality and online travel industries, she has previously managed and worked for big organizations like The InterContinental Hotel Group and Expedia Inc., and also had experience in a start up European company based in Southeast Asia. She has a proven track record for success in all different areas in her 20 years of leadership experience.
Vivian will serve as the Business Administrator at the House of Sophrosyne, reporting to the Executive Director, Karen Waddell. She brings a wide range of experience to the team and is pleased to provide support to the entire organization whenever needed.
Executive Assistant
Sandra joined the House of Sophrosyne team in October 2019 as Assistant to the Executive Director.
Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Sandra has a background in Travel and Tourism and banking.
Prior to joining the House of Sophrosyne management team, Sandra served as a Funeral Home Administrator for 11 years.
Her experience, energy and compassion has led her to help others offering her skills and time to several nonprofit organizations.
Sandra is looking forward to helping empower women and create positive change within our community.
RPN Health and Wellness Manager
Natalie has been a part of the House of Sophrosyne Leadership Team since September 2018. As a Registered Practical Nurse she has worked in palliative care, geriatric psychiatry, acute adult psychiatry, rehabilitation and complex care.
Natalie has a passion for addiction and mental health nursing and is committed to challenging the stigma and stereotypes long associated with drug and alcohol addiction through health teaching and spreading awareness.
Fully fluent in the French language, Natalie serves as the Management member of the French Language Services Committee, which strives to achieve a solid delivery of French Language Services.
Business Administrator
“I feel incredibly fortunate to witness the amazing transformation in women empowering themselves to rise above hardships and give of their strengths to their children and community.”
Rendia’s educational background (Advertising/Business & Human Resource Management) and love for details has offered non profits both a sound financial voice as well as strong leadership skills.
Rendia provides the House of Sophrosyne exceptional non profit administration and customer service skills, with over ten progressive years of experience in both fields. Her analytical eye often results in cost savings and efficiencies necessary in operating within today’s small non profit budgets and dwindling funding sources. Rendia has over ten years’ experience in coordinating non profit events and sits as a Management member of the Fundraising Committee.
Rendia has experience in developing and delivering comprehensive orientation and health and safety programs. Rendia participates in WPS Safety Groups Program, which is highly regarded by WSIB and in the Health and Safety field. Rendia sits as the Management Member of the Joint Health and Safety Committee.
Rendia has a passion for and excels in languages and is currently completing a French as a Second Language Certificate. Rendia serves as the Management member of the French Language Services Committee, which strives to achieve a solid delivery of French Language Services.
When Rendia has spare time, she can be found writing in a quiet corner, she would love to complete a children’s story as well as a novel. She also enjoys outdoor activities as the sun and fresh air rejuvenates and boosts her energy.
Executive Assistant
Amanda joined the House of Sophrosyne Leadership Team in May 2019. She is passionate about helping people and making a difference in their lives. It is a privilege to be a part of this dynamic team.
Amanda has over 10 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant in the Healthcare Industry and has spent several years in the financial and engineering sectors. Her education and training are focused in the areas of business administration, economics, and human resources.
Amanda currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director. She brings a wide range of experience to the team and is pleased to provide support to Karen Waddell, Executive Director and the Board of Directors. Amanda also serves as member on the Community Relations and Fundraising Committee.
Amanda thrives in a challenging environment and looks forward to helping the Leadership Team use their knowledge and experience to make a difference in the quality of care clients receive.
On a personal note, Amanda enjoys spending time with family, loves being outdoors, camping and going to the beach.
Executive Assistant
Myrna joined the team at the House of Sophrosyne in November 2014. She has acquired a very strong skill set both in office administration and customer service.
Her career path has progressed through the education system and several professional office settings where she has developed her abilities in fast paced, excellence driven environments.
Myrna serves as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director. She brings a positive presence in the work place and is pleased to provide support to Karen Waddell, Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
The House of Sophrosyne is making a significant difference in so many women’s lives and the impact is far reaching. Myrna is proud to be a part of such a great organization.
On a personal note, Myrna takes great pleasure in spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors, reading, cooking, baking, music and playing board games.
Executive Director
Welcome to the House of Sophrosyne. I am Karen Waddell, the Executive Director. I am proud to say I have been employed by the House of Sophrosyne for 13 years. I have held various management positions in the past but can say none have been as rewarding as my role here at the House. I work with a team of very competent managers and highly trained staff that are truly dedicated to helping those individuals requiring our services.
I graduated from the University of Windsor with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. I hold many years of experience in a management role. I also bring addiction knowledge and experience from a more personal level; having a sibling who battled addiction for many years.
As the Executive Director, my primary role is to ensure our clients are receiving the quality of care they have come to expect from the House of Sophrosyne. We have been providing addiction programs to women and their families since 1978. Since that time, the House of Sophrosyne has made great strides in both improving and expanding our services to meet the needs of those we serve. We provide a continuum of care that is built on best practices using a holistic, gender specific and harm reduction approach. The House of Sophrosyne is second to none when it comes to providing addiction services and our uniqueness is what sets us apart from other centres across the province.
Please read further about the House of Sophrosyne as well as watch the testimonials of what women who have used our services are saying about the care they have received. Let your journey into recovery begin with the House of Sophrosyne.
