Penny Noble, the founder of Toronto-based Noble Caplan Abrams (NCA) Talent Management, has died.

According to NCA talent agent Rick Gerrits, Noble (pictured) died peacefully at home in Toronto on June 23, surrounded by her daughters, close family and loved ones, following a cancer diagnosis.

“To say that she will be sadly missed in the Canadian film and arts community is the grandest of understatements,” said the agency in a statement.

“Penny’s legacy as a talent agent, entrepreneur, philanthropist, shoulder-to-cry-on, negotiator, collaborator, friend, confidante, more recently as a filmmaker and most importantly as a mom to her two beautiful girls, will never ever be forgotten,” said the agency. “She was truly one of a kind.”

Noble first started her agency in the late 1970s as Noble Talent, mainly focused on modeling at the time. One of her early clients and friends was Niagara Falls, Ont.-born actor and singer Denise “Vanity” Matthews. After expanding to Canadian television, Noble’s clients included actors on series such as CBS’ Top Cops, Global’s Ready or Not, CBC’s Street Legal and the CTV series Night Heat and E.N.G., among others.

In 1998, Noble brought on Rich Caplan to the agency. Then in the early 2000s, Norbert Abrams – who retired earlier this year – joined the ranks, with the agency becoming Noble Caplan Abrams Talent Management. Agents that have worked at NCA include Rachel Neville-Fox, Kate Eisner, James Crammond and Ronda Cooper.

Noble donated to various causes on a regular basis, such as women’s rights organizations, anti-gun charities and independent theatres.

Although Noble never married, she adopted two girls from China. “Gigi and Gemma Noble stand as a testament to the kind of woman that Penny was,” said NCA associate Michael O’Hara. “They have handled this situation with such grace, maturity and elegance.”

NCA is planning a celebration of life for Noble, for which it will provide details in the coming days.

Image courtesy of Noble Caplan Abrams Talent Management

Updated on June 24 with information from NCA