Colleen Ann Dunne

Colleen Ann Dunne

Colleen Ann Dunne lived a beautiful life rooted in faith, service, love, and an extraordinary gift for bringing people together. She had a way of making people feel seen, welcomed, and valued. Whether through her ministry, her work in education, her friendships, her family, or even the joy she found in sports, Colleen gave generously of herself and touched countless lives along the way.

Colleen was born on January 4, 1972, in Anaconda, Montana. She grew up surrounded by family, faith, and community, values that would guide her throughout her life. She graduated from Anaconda High School in 1990 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Theory and Public Relations from Carroll College in 1994. Her deep faith and call to serve led her to the University of Notre Dame, where she earned her Master of Divinity in 2003. At the time of her passing, Colleen was nearing completion of her Doctor of Education in Leadership, with a focus on leadership in Catholic Higher Education. This reflected her lifelong love of learning and her desire to help strengthen the institutions and communities she cared so deeply about.

Colleen’s professional life was far more than a career, it was a vocation. She devoted her life to Catholic education, campus ministry, pastoral care, nonprofit leadership, and helping others find belonging. She served as Director of Campus Ministry at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Saint Martin’s University, and Santa Clara University. She also served as Director of Campus Ministry Programs and adjunct faculty at Carroll College, as a STEP facilitator and Rector at the University of Notre Dame, and as Camp Director at Legendary Lodge for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena.

Colleen also gave much of her heart to De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning Montana, where she served first as Director of Development and later as President. Her work there reflected so much of who she was: faithful, determined, compassionate, and deeply committed to students, families, teachers, and the mission of the school. She believed in people, especially young people, and she worked tirelessly to create opportunities, build community, and lift others up.

In every role she held, Colleen led with warmth, humility, humor, and grace. She was a spiritual leader, teacher, mentor, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. She had a special gift for gathering people around a table, pulling people into community, and helping others feel that they belonged. Her friendships were deep and lasting because she invested in people with her whole heart.

Colleen shared a deep and faithful companionship with her beloved dog, Pintler, who brought her constant comfort and joy. She also had a joyful and competitive spirit, especially when it came to sports. She was a lifelong Seattle Seahawks fan and loved cheering on her team through every season. She also held a special place in her heart for Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Carroll College Saints, two communities that shaped her education, her faith, and many meaningful chapters of her life. Her love of sports reflected so much of who she was: loyal, passionate, hopeful, and always ready to celebrate with the people she loved. Whether watching a game, talking about a season, or sharing in the excitement of competition, Colleen found another way to connect with others and bring joy into the room.

Colleen had a bright and steady presence. She was a shining light to those around her. Her faith was not something she simply spoke about; it was something she lived every day through compassion, service, forgiveness, and love. She reflected Christ in the way she listened, encouraged, guided, and cared for others.

Colleen peacefully passed away on April 26, 2026, surrounded by her family and friends.

She is survived by her father, Patrick Dunne; her brothers, Tom (Mara) Dunne and Kevin (Cheryl) Dunne; her sister, Ellen Dunne Kriskovich; her nephews, Andrew Dunne, Ryan Kriskovich, and Grady Kriskovich; her nieces, Malea Scofield (Kyle), Emily Lorentzen (Bryce), and Abby Gray (James),  and her grand-nephews, Lincoln Scofield and Charles Lorentzen.  She is also survived by many Uncles, Aunts and Cousins. 

She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Carol Dunne, who passed away in 2000.

Colleen’s legacy is one of faith lived fully and love shared generously. She leaves behind communities made stronger, students and colleagues inspired by her example, friends who became family, and a family who

loved her deeply. Those who knew Colleen will remember her warmth, her laugh, her steady faith, her generous heart, her loyal Seahawks spirit, and her ability to bring people together and make every person feel important.

Her light continues in the lives of all those she gathered, guided, encouraged, and loved. In faith, we take comfort in knowing that Colleen is now at peace and joyfully reunited with her mother, Carol, whose love helped shape the remarkable woman Colleen became.

Funeral Mass will be held May 23 at 11:00 am at Holy Family Church, 217 W. Pennsylvania, Anaconda, Montana.  Visitation will begin at 10:30am.  Reception will follow in the Hunthausen Center of the church. Cremation has taken place and a private family burial will take place at a later date.   

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to 

De La Salle Blackfeet School

P.O. Box 1489 

Browning, MT 59417