Winnie Noonan

Winnie Noonan

September 16, 1954 - November 21, 2023

BEAVERTON, OR - On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, Winifred Marion "Winnie" Noonan, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and teacher, passed away from natural causes at age sixty-nine in Portland, Ore.

Winnie was the fifth of six children born to Edward J. and Sara L. Noonan and held a special place in the family tree as the first daughter after four sons. She was named after her two grandmothers Winifred McCartan and Marion Noonan.

Winnie grew up in Butte, a place she felt privileged to call her hometown, and attended grade school at St. John's where she developed strong Catholic values.

She graduated from Butte Central High School in 1973 and received a bachelor's degree in education from Carroll College in 1977.

It was in Butte where she learned the value of athleticism, competition, and how to fight for such opportunities for women. These efforts put her in the forefront of Equal Rights, as she was an avid supporter in getting women's sports started at Butte Central and was a manager on one of Carroll College's first women's basketball teams. She played softball for the Lucky Lagers garnering two state championships (1968 and 1969) and was inducted in the Butte Sports Hall of Fame and Montana Softball Hall of Fame.

A lifelong learner and teacher, Winnie earned a master's degree in counseling from Washington State University in 1983 and achieved a doctorate in law from Lewis and Clark College in 1997. Her prolific career in education spanned over 40 years while she served as a middle school teacher and a high school counselor, specialized in helping students with dyslexia and autism, and owned a counseling business mid-career. She served students in Montana, Portland, and Phoenix throughout her tenure.

Winnie also represented her fellow teacher colleagues by being a leader and voice in teachers' unions, perhaps the outcome of being raised among opinionated Noonan men and learning how to fearlessly stand up for her beliefs, even if it meant standing on a chair to be heard.

Winnie was best known for her practicality, her integrity, and her generous spirit, devoting her life to serving and helping others with her kindness and positivity. She impacted the lives of thousands of students and others, with her unique mix of compassion, tough love, and smart down-to-earth counsel.

Always a straight shooter and a resilient soul, Winnie faced all things in life with unwavering resolve even right to the end.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Ed, Larry, and Art.

She is survived by her sister Sara Paul (Jerry), brother Mark Noonan, nephews Pat Noonan, Dan Paul, Bryan Noonan, nieces Andrea Bottorff, Kate Williamsen, and Kelley Paul, and several cousins who loved her dearly.

During this holiday season, let us pause to honor the progress strong women like Winnie are making in our society.

Winnie's life will be celebrated on a date to be determined summer 2024 in Butte-her favorite time of year to visit The Mining City. For those who are able and looking for a way to honor Winnie and comfort her family, please consider donating to a charity rooted in education, and/or supporting better pay for teachers and advocating for smaller class sizes.