Josephine Noone moved to Washington Borough in 1996 but her family ties to the community go further back. Her grandmother was born here and her mother graduated from Washington High School. Eventually she bought her grandparents’ house and moved here permanently with her husband Kevin. 

“I have been coming here since I was a baby, and spent my summer vacations here growing up,” Noone said. “I learned to swim at the borough pool, and so did my son.”

Living in a community is one thing, Being a part of it is another. Noone, along with her husband, soon enough became very active in the community. In recognition of Josephine’s volunteer efforts, she will be honored as the Community Partner of the Year at the Washington Business Improvement District’s annual Business Recognition Dinner on Thursday Feb. 5. The event takes place at Hawk Pointe Golf Club. Also being honored at the dinner will be Delmy Morales, owner of Juanito’s Mexican Restaurant, as Business Person of the Year, Next Level Hair Designs (Redevelopment Award), and Lina’s Chop Shop (People’s Choice Business of the Year).  

Noone is being cited for not only her participation with WBID events, most notably the weekly Farmers’ Market and the annual Washington Sustainably Green Music and Arts Festival, but also for her efforts in the greater Washington community.

A member of the Washington Borough Green Team since 2015, she has helped lead 11 successful “Green” festivals and has volunteered for the Washington Borough Farmers’ Market for ten years. Indeed, if anybody has questions about the Farmers’ Market, Noone has the answers!

“I love the Farmers’ Market,” Noone said, adding that she is looking forward to the 2026 season!

Noone has been instrumental in coordinating the Green Team’s successful efforts to earn Sustainable Jersey’s Bronze Certification in 2019, 2022, and 2025.

“Because of this certification,” she noted, “we have access to training and tools to help our community improve energy efficiency, cut waste, and stimulate our local economy. We also get special priority access and notification of incentives and grants. This year, we got a $2,000 grant to plant a perennial garden and create a wildlife habitat at the Washington Public Library.”

For many years, Noone dressed up as a Gingerbread Cookie and a Christmas Tree during Hometown Holiday, was the President of the Washington Borough Library Board from 2012 to 2014, and a member of the Library Board of Trustees from 2009 to 2014. She is currently Secretary of the Warren County Environmental Advisory Board of which she has been a member since 2022.

And she was a councilwoman. Noone was the Council Liaison to the WBID from 2015 to 2022.

As a Councilwoman, she worked to create an Open Space Trust Fund which enabled the Borough to obtain $135,800 from Warren County and $415,000 from the State of New Jersey to purchase the 80-acre Shabbecong Mountain Preserve.

“We were able to preserve the largest tract of open space in the borough from development, and now residents are able to enjoy using the preserve for hiking and recreation,” Noone said proudly. 

Getting involved is important to Noone, and something she enjoys wholeheartedly. 

“I believe that when we give to others, we get back as much as we give,” she said. “I have made so many friends in Washington Borough through volunteering and serving my community. I feel very lucky to live in a community where so many other people are also volunteering and stepping up. That is what makes Washington Borough such a special place to live.” 

In her other “life roles” Noone has been a teacher and administrator for over 30 years. She was an elementary school teacher at Willow Grove School in Hackettstown, a Vice Principal in the Knowlton Township School District, a Principal and Director of Curriculum in the Morris School District and is currently an English as a Second Language Teacher in Easton. She also teaches yoga at Gibson’s Fitness Center. 

Noone is truly a partner. Her dedication shines through.