Josephine R. Dunn

Josephine Revere Dunn passed away on February 10, 2013. She was a native Houstonian, born on March 20, 1923. Jo lived between Montgomery, AL and Houston, TX for most of her childhood, but had resided here all of her adult life. Jo is survived by her children, Josephine Marie Dunn, and son-in-law Anthony Kearney, son James Franklin Dunn, III and daughter-in-law Cecelia Dunn, daughter Geraldine Sanford Dunn, daughter Jeanne Evangeline Dunn, son John Trafton Dunn, son Jerome Anthony Dunn, and grandson James Franklin Dunn IV and her sister, Nancy Coffin of Nantucket, MS. She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, James Franklin Dunn, Jr. (“Jimmie”), her parents, her spiritual sister, Mary Ann Creighton Squyres and her adored grandmother, Ida Merritt Gerald.

Jo graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1940, attending business college after high school. In the years before her marriage she worked for several energy companies and as a civilian in the Naval Department during WWII. She married her soul mate and best friend, Jimmie Dunn in 1948, remaining in Houston where she and Jimmie raised their family.

Jo was a gifted artist, avid reader, wonderful wife, inspired mother, remarkable chef, and the creative force in our lives. She instilled in her children a love for history, art, literature and classic film. She always stressed the importance of faith and God in everyday living to all of us. Her sense of humor and endless optimism always maintained her husband and her children. We remember her for the way she created a truly magical childhood for each of us. For Jo, all children were her responsibility, as evidenced in the way she embraced the friends of her own children, providing the laughter and unconditional love necessary to make any child feel they always had another home.

Jo and Jimmie spent many years traveling together throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland with friends and family. She also loved rose gardening, an activity she shared with Jimmie. Both Jo and Jimmie also shared a deep love for their four-footed children, evidenced in the way they cherished many a stray canine throughout their lives. But her true passion in life was reading, a love she shared with anyone who knew her. No one could really know Jo and not become a reader.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 15, 2013 at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3617 Milam St. Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Citizens for Animal Protection in her memory at www.cap4pets.org