ALAMOSA — Noel Dunne was born in Duncas Killiney, County Dublin, Ireland, on December 21, 1935.  He died in Pueblo, Colorado, on his 85th birthday, December 21, 2020. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mariann, who died in 2016.

Noel is survived by his daughter, Wanda (Marvin) Sanchez; his grandchildren, Mari Lopez-Quintana, and Analysia and Timothy Bosse; sister-in-law, Diane Liddle; and other family in the United States, Portugal, and Ireland.

Noel became a priest in 1960 and served with the Irish Columban Missionaries in Chile.  While in South America, he met Mariann, who was serving there as a Sister of Mercy. After their marriage, Noel and Mariann worked in Peru before returning to the United States in 1986 with their daughter, Wanda.  They lived in Denver while obtaining degrees in pastoral ministry.

In 1992 the family moved to Alamosa. Both Noel and Mariann had a life-long passion for social justice, which was reflected in the many community organizations with which they were involved over the 24 years they lived in Alamosa.   At Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Noel was part of the Social Justice Committee and taught the Just Faith class with Mariann.  He served as Director of Christian Community services for several years and served on the Board of Directors of the Immigrant Resource Center.  The Dunnes cherished their relationships within Alamosa’s Guatemalan community.  Noel and Mariann made Lifetime Covenants as Mercy Associates in November, 2015.

Graveside services will be held later.

Condolences may be sent to Wanda Sanchez, 502 W. Evans, Pueblo, CO 81004.  Memorial gifts may be sent to the Immigrant Resource Center, P.O. Box 1534, Alamosa, CO 81101.