Michael P. "Mickey" Noonan

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Whitefish Bay High School University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Yale University

Michael Noonan Obituary

Noonan, Michael P. "Mickey" Mickey unexpectedly and tragically left us on February 23, 2009, at the age of 61. Resident of Whitefish Bay. Devoted husband and best friend of Sally Ann Noonan (nee Winters). Loved father of Les May. Cherished brother-in-law of Laura and Ray Kass. Treasured friend of Ram and Om Bhulanja, and their children, Nay, Jenny and Don. He is further survived by other caring relatives, dear friends and Rosie, his beloved Icelandic sheep dog. Mickey was a dedicated professor of linguistics in the English Department at U.W.M. He did important work in the field of linguistics, including research on the Tibeto-Burman languages, language contact and syntactic typology. He was a man of integrity, who respected knowledge and was able to capture the goodness in others. Mickey will be missed, but his kind spirit, and lively sense of humor, will live on in the many lives he touched. A service commemorating his life will begin at 3:00 PM, and celebrated until 5:00 PM, on Saturday, February 28, in Greene Hall, located on the U.W.M. Campus on Downer Avenue. Memorials honoring Mickey's life may be made to the Endangered Language Fund, c/o the Department of Linguistics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520. (Please note on your donation, "In memory of Michael P. Noonan.") FEERICK FUNERAL HOME Shorewood (414) 962-8383 Condolences may be sent to: www.feerickfuneralhome.com

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Feb. 25 to Feb. 28, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Noonan

13 Entries

Skip Forrest

March 22, 2009

It saddens me greatly to learn of Mickey's untimely passing. Returning to graduate school late in life, I was grateful to have him as my graduate adviser as well as instructor for the majority of my classes in 2006-08. Easy to smile, and ready to help, despite being obviously overworked in a struggling English Dept, Mickey honored me with his intellect, his honesty, and his quickness to smile. He radiated affection for language and those who studied it. My condolences to his family and friends.

Bhuvan Manandhar

March 11, 2009

Mickey came to this World with empty hands.
And he went back to the World of Peace with empty hands.
We can’t see him again but his memories will be in our minds.
My wish to learn from him will never be fulfilled
As I missed him, too.
Wishing for the Eternal Peace of departed soul of Great Mickey,
I wish Sally to have Courage and Strength to bear the difficulties
for the voids that were left by Mickey’s death.

Thinking with Sympathy,
Manandhar Family

Bhanu Shrestha

March 8, 2009

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Stanley Murai

March 2, 2009

Mickey Noonan was not just a former professor of mine, but a friend who maintained contact with me for over 30 years. He still shared his knowledge and enthusiasm for language and linguistics all this time with me although I left the field many years ago. But above all, he was a wonderful man with a loving heart that always showed interest, care, and concern for all the events in my life. I miss him and will cherish his memory forever.

Shilak Shakya

March 1, 2009

I was very fortunate to work as a native informant of Newari Language (Banepa dialect) that he offered at UWM in 1995. He was not just a great methodical researcher but equally a great human being always ready to help people in need. His love towards the people living in remote villages on the lap of the Himalayas was always unconditional. He along with his research students had visited my family in Banepa, Nepal about 13 years ago. We all were deeply saddened by the news of untimely death of this great human.

Barbara Lucius

February 27, 2009

Although I did not know Dr. Noonan well, I took three of his classes as an undergrad at UWM. He was an extraordinary, gifted professor, one of the best I've ever had, and a kind presence on campus. I continued to cross paths with him on campus where I now teach as a lecturer. He always had a warm smile and friendly greeting. A few times I emailed him with academic questions and he always responded promptly and thoughtfully. It is a mark of his character that he would take the time for someone he knew only casually in the campus community. My sense is that once a person met Dr. Noonan in even the smallest way, he would not forget, as he will not be forgotten. My heart goes out to the Noonan family and to his students. Your loss is immeasurable, but he will forever be with those of us whose lives he touched.

Barbara Lucius

Raimund Borgmeier

February 27, 2009

I was deeply moved when I heard about Mickey's sudden death. He was here in Giessen, Germany several times and worked as a visiting professor. My wife Ingrid and I have fond memories of the time we spent with him and Sally in their house. We sincerely feel with Sally.

Marilyn Taylor

February 26, 2009

Mickey was a man whom I deeply admired-- not only for his his extraordinary scholarly achievements, but also for his ready smile, his charming demeanor, and his great good sense. Wish I'd gotten to know him better when I was teaching for the English Dept., but I was well enough acquainted with him to know that he will be much missed. My deepest sympathies go out to his family.

Amy

February 26, 2009

A former student of Mickey's, I've been out of Milwaukee for five years now. In that time, I've never forgotten the genuine kindness and enthusiasm he showed for both his subject matter and his students. I loved linguistics and just recently was thinking about Mickey and how I missed studying with him.

Even though I haven't seen him for 5 years - I will miss knowing he is here. And I will be sure to carry what I learned from him forward whatever I do in my life.

Robin Pagan

February 26, 2009

As a person who was not a close friend nor of any consequence who crossed Dr. Noonan's path on the UWM campus, I wish to express my condolences. On a day when my load was made a little lighter for doing so, he was kind to me when all who were hurriedly passing by took no note of my state of dejection. I was simply having a bad day. How wonderful it is to have such people in the world during such times and how sad it is that we don't recount and appreciate the fateful day they touched our lives until we discover by happenstance they are gone. Such a simple yet vital gift of life he gave to me. I want the Noonan Family to know that this person of no consequence share their loss today and you are in my prayers. May God comfort you during this time of sorrow.

Inga Zile

February 26, 2009

Since joining the English Dept. at UWM barely a year ago, I didn't know Mickey as well as many others. But I could see that he was greatly admired by his students and colleagues. He was friendly, laughed easily and was full of energy and life. His sudden passing is a shock to us all. You will be greatly missed, Mickey.

Paul Roebber

February 25, 2009

I met Mickey, surprisingly not at UWM where I am a fellow Professor, but on a soccer field. I was just starting out at UWM and will always recall how much he impressed me with his personal and intellectual qualities, which convinced me that I had indeed come to the right place. He will surely be missed by the many who knew him better than me.

Don & Barb Kuster

February 25, 2009

Sally, Les & Bhulanja family- You are in our thoughts and prayers. There is so much about Mickey that we will miss. Wonderful memories of times together will help. Love, Don & Barb

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