Phyllis Y. Dunaye

Phyllis Dunaye (née George), born February 28, 1926, in Redding, West Virginia, grew up on a farm alongside her siblings Christine, Helen, Pauline, and Bud. As a young woman, she moved to Akron, Ohio to complete her schooling, beginning what would become a lifelong connection to the Akron community. In her early years, she worked at Macy’s in downtown Akron in the gift wrap department, where her creativity, artistic eye, and attention to detail were already evident.

When World War II broke out, Phyllis answered the call to serve. She volunteered at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, contributing to the wartime effort by helping build fighter planes and Navy airships as part of the generation known as “Rosie the Riveter.” It was a role that reflected her strength, independence, dedication, and patriotism.

She later worked at Firestone, where she met Michael “Mike” Dunaye, her supervisor, who would become her husband in 1945. Together, they built a life defined by hard work, shared ambition, and a deep commitment to family. Side by side, Phyllis and Mike built homes to sell, saving their profits with the goal of one day purchasing a home of their own. Their efforts reflected not only determination, but a true entrepreneurial spirit that carried throughout their lives.

Phyllis’s entrepreneurial nature also led her into selling Tupperware and Judy Lee jewelry, where her natural warmth and knack for selling shined. Though she could seem shy at first, she and Mike shared a love of socializing with friends—playing cards, dancing the jitterbug, where they were known as the “King and Queen,” and making lasting memories on trips to Cedar Point.

Faith was a central part of Phyllis’s life and a quiet source of strength. Drawn by her deep reverence for the Blessed Mother, she and Mike converted to Catholicism. She became one of the founding women of St. Hilary Parish and School and remained devoted to her faith throughout her life. She prayed the rosary each night, a steady and faithful practice that grounded her and carried her through both joyful and difficult times. Her children were educated at St. Hilary’s, Our Lady of the Elms, and Archbishop Hoban—an extension of the values she held close.

Phyllis also broke new ground professionally, becoming one of the first women to venture into the male-dominated world of commercial real estate in Northeast Ohio. Her success opened doors not only for herself, but created opportunities to give generously to her family, pursue creative passions, and fully enjoy life alongside Mike and their close circle of friends. Together, they loved traveling—especially casino trips and cruises—always finding joy in time spent together.

Her creativity continued to flourish throughout her life. She took up oil painting and watercolor, collected clown figurines, and later became a jewelry designer. When her daughter opened a bead store and design studio, Phyllis eagerly explored new artistic outlets, including glass bead making, silversmithing, and copper etching.

As much as her faith sustained her, motherhood was her everything. She and Mike raised five children—Gary, Mick, Mark, Tammy, and MaryLynn. Their children were always their top priority. Phyllis created a home filled with love, energy, and openness—one that welcomed friends for sleepovers and gatherings, complete with basketball courts and backyard forts that became part of countless childhood memories.

Her devotion to her children never wavered. She kept vigil in prayer for Gary’s safe return from Vietnam, welcomed Mick’s band, The Tantrums, to practice in the basement—sewing their leopard-skin vests—and attended each of Mark’s art shows featuring his wood sculptures, loving the time they spent working side by side as he built his home. She found thoughtful, creative ways to guide her children—like buying MaryLynn a horse to nurture her passion for animals and her dedication to riding and showing or encouraging Tammy’s curiosity about the world by sending her to Europe during high school. Her love was constant, expressed through both quiet acts of care and bold gestures of support.

In her later years, Phyllis remained grounded in the same faith, strength, and devotion that guided her throughout her life. Even as her dementia advanced, she remained quick-witted, laughing, and smiling easily. Her expressions became softer and simpler—shared through gentle gestures, quiet words, and tiny kisses—creating moments of connection with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who remained at the center of her world.

Phyllis passed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, faith, creativity, and unwavering love for her family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and forever remembered by those whose lives she touched so profoundly.

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— A Poem Mark Would Have Shared, Read by His Daughter —

“For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?

And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides,

that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.

And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.”

— Kahlil Gibran

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Family

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Dunaye (September 16, 1997); her grandson, Adam Dunaye (February 15, 2005); and her son, Mark Allan Dunaye (November 7, 2020).

She is survived by her children: Gary Dunaye and his wife Barbara; Michael (Mick) Dunaye and his wife Michelle; Tammy Dunaye; and MaryLynn Martin and her husband Greg. She is also lovingly remembered by Mark’s wives, Stef Young and Leslie Dunaye.

In addition to her children, she is survived by her grandchildren: Christian Dunaye and his wife Amanda; Matthew Dunaye and his wife Annie; Emily Paulino Dunaye and her husband George; Aaron Dunaye and his partner Sophie Kenia Acosta; Philip Dunaye and his fiancée Corina; Elliott Dunaye and his wife Aleah; Ariel Dunaye and co-parent, Kyle; Chase Martin and his fiancée Kitty; Shane Martin; Kyler Martin and his partner, Julie.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Jaycen and his wife Lily; Sophie; Ciel; Arlo; Evie; Harlan; Ark; Zane; Harley; and Gio.

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Services

Visitation and services will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Rose Hill Funeral Home, located at 3653 W. Market St., Akron, Ohio 44333. Calling hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by an 11:00 a.m. funeral service in the chapel. Burial at Rose Hill Burial Park will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html) or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (https://alzfdn.org/donate/).

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