Mary "Mary Kit" Catherine Dunn

Mary Catherine Dunn, 92, died February 24, 2025, at WellSpring surrounded by family. Originally from Danville, Virginia, “Mary Kit” lived in Greensboro, NC for 64 years the second daughter of Hubert Clifton and Rosa Lee Myers.

She is predeceased by her husband James E. (Jimmy) Dunn, her parents and her older sister and husband, Barbara Lee and Ray Collie.

She is survived by her daughter Cathy Diaz (Octavio) of Huntsville, AL, their children Christopher and Connor; her son Jed Dunn (Gwyn) of Greensboro, their children James, III (Monique), Fletcher (Connell), Hanes (Mary Parke), and Holt; her daughter B. Lee McGarry (Mike) of Charlotte, their children Virginia Sauer (JP) and Myers McGarry (Michael Sullivan); seven great-grandchildren James Dunn IV, Annie Dunn, Eleanor Dunn, Fletcher Dunn, Jr, Catherine Dunn, Henry Sauer and Philip Sauer; niece, Blair Collie, nephew, Robert H. Dunn III (Alice), and sister in law Arlene Dunn.

Mary Kit graduated as the Salutatorian from George Washington High School before entering Womens’ College (Now UNCG) and then on to UNC-Chapel Hill graduating in 1954 with a B.A. in Mathematics. She obtained a master’s degree in library science from UNCG. Professionally, Mary Kit taught mathematics, was a librarian, and later became the Director of Experiential Education at Greensboro College.

Mary Kit believed that volunteering is a privilege granted to people in a free society, and she believed that the underpinning of a democracy is an educated electorate. She demonstrated these beliefs through her lifelong commitment to promoting literacy. She volunteered as Chair of the Guilford County Community of Readers, Task Force Leader for the Vance Chavis Lifelong Learning Center, President of the Greensboro Friends of the Library, and Chair of the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services. She testified in Congress in support of libraries. She was recognized with the Literacy Award from the American Library Association, she was a recipient of a Thousand Points of Light Award presented by President George Bush, and in 1984 was inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor.

Most of all Mary Kit loved her family beginning with her marriage to her High School sweetheart, friend and husband of 74 years - Jimmy Dunn. Together they cheered on 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren – including many visits to the library. Mary Kit was an excellent teacher and storyteller and was never seen to use notes. She always had time for a friend and her engaging manner was an invitation for conversation marked by intriguing questions.

The family extends deep appreciation for the loving care provided by the WellSpring Community. Celebration of Life Services will be held at the Virginia Somerville Sutton Theater at 4100 WellSpring Drive in Greensboro on Friday, March 7 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a reception. Memorials may be made to the WellSpring Employee Enrichment Fund 4100 Well Spring Drive, Greensboro NC 27410, or to First Presbyterian Church 617 N. Elm Street, Greensboro NC 27401 or to the Greensboro Public Library Foundation, P.O. Box 3178, Greensboro NC 27402