In Memoriam: Noelia Gómez

Article by Student Life staff Photos courtesy of the Gómez Family October 21, 2024

Campus community remembers first-year student with a bright future

Noelia (Noel) Isabel Gómez, a first-year student majoring in economics in the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. She was 18.

Noelia Gómez

During her short time at UD, she attended the Twilight Induction Ceremony during Welcome Days and began building strong relationships.

Her friends shared their reflections:

Keira Buniewski, UD first-year kinesiology major: “Although my time spent with Noel was short, I knew from the start we were going to be lifelong friends. Noel was the most genuine soul I’ve met here at UD, and being her roommate was a great experience to begin my college journey. I will never forget her presence. I love you, Noel; I’ll miss you everyday.”

Mia Alvarez, UD first-year communication major: "Noel was such a bright person to be around and always made everyone around her feel uplifted. I enjoyed the little time I got to be around her here at UD, and I will forever cherish it"

In a letter to the University community, President Dennis Assanis and Vice President for Student Life José-Luis Riera wrote, “We cannot express enough how sorry we are for the family, friends, and greater community as we are all so deeply shaken by the sudden loss of one of our own. Our hearts are very heavy today.”

Adam Cantley, dean of students and assistant vice president for student support and advocacy, said, "We’re deeply saddened by the loss of Noel. She had a bright future ahead of her, and her absence is profoundly felt in our community. We were privileged to have been a part of her life.”

Noelia Gómez at Twilight Induction Ceremony

Noelia Gómez, kneeling at right, gathers with friends on The Green before the Twilight Induction Ceremony.

Noelia Gómez with friends at the conclusion of the Twilight Inductuion Ceremony

Noelia Gómez, third from the left, and friends hold candles at the conclusion of the Twilight Induction Ceremony on The Green.

About Noelia Gómez

Born on April 7, 2006, Ms. Gómez was a lifelong resident of Clark, New Jersey.

Ms. Gómez was passionate about dance since the age of 5. Throughout her elementary school years, she was a dancer at CDE dance studio in Clark. Upon entering eighth grade, she became a cheerleader for her school, which she continued to pursue at Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, her first three years of attendance. As a senior, she decided to take on a part-time job at a female-owned boutique in Cranford, New Jersey, which began fueling her entrepreneurship interests. It was at this part-time job where Ms. Gómez realized the area of business in which she planned to pursue at the University of Delaware.

A 2024 graduate of Union Catholic High School, Ms. Gómez was an Honor Roll student all four years, a member of the National Spanish Honor Society, a member of various clubs that worked with young children and a recipient of numerous academic awards.

Ms. Gómez is survived by her parents, Frank and Ana Maria (Casais) Gómez; brother Daniel; maternal grandparents Jose and Ana Casais of Staten Island, New York; paternal grandmother Aurelia Nieves Gómez of Spain; loving aunts, uncles, cousins and many family members and friends, all of whom loved her dearly.

Her parents and brother Ana Maria, Frank and Daniel Gómez said, "Our beautiful and sweet Noelia was more than just our daughter/sister—she was our best friend. She brought such happiness into our lives. She was kind, funny, witty and had an amazing personality. She had dreams of becoming a female owned business owner and was excited to begin her college life at the University of Delaware. Our hearts are shattered and we will forever miss our precious Noelia.”

They noted, "Family and friends will forever cherish and remember Ms. Gómez for her love of life, her love of dance, her love of baking, especially chocolate chip cookies, her beautiful smile that lit up a room, her infectious laugh and her ability to make everyone around her feel special. She brought joy to everyone who crossed her path and positively impacted all who knew her! She will forever be greatly missed!"

Services were held at the St. Agnes Church and the Walter Johnson Funeral Home, both in Clark, New Jersey. Ms. Gómez was entombed at St. Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia, New Jersey, on Sept. 4. Condolences can be shared at Walter Johnson Funeral Home.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations in Ms. Gómez' memory be made to Alzheimer's New Jersey, 425 Eagle Rock Ave. #203, Roseland, NJ 07068.

Campus resources

As always, students can connect with UD's Center for Counseling and Student Development or call 302-831-2141. In addition, 24-hour support is available through TimelyCare.

Mental health support for UD benefited employees is provided from ComPsych® GuidanceResources®. The link gives steps on how to access services, or call 1-877-527-4742 for support.