Barbara Jacqueline Dunay

Barbara J. Dunay, age 90, passed away peacefully at the Boston Medical Center on Saturday June 20, 2026. Barbara was born February 26, 1936 and was the only child of Frank and Antonia (Kisiel) Dunay of Holyoke, MA. Barbara graduated from Holyoke High School and attended Boston University in Boston, MA with a degree in Education and then obtained her Masters of Education degree also at Boston University.

Leaving the small rural town of Holyoke, MA to move to the state capital was a very exciting time for Barbara. After graduating from Boston University, Barbara accepted a teaching position at the Katherine Gibbs School of Secretarial Science located in Boston’s historic Back Bay. While Barbara had rented multiple apartments during her time in the city, she eventually found a place she couldn’t resist off of Charles Street called the River House. She called the River House her home for 58 years.

Barbara continued working in the secretarial science field including teaching at Burdett College before accepting a position at Mass Bay Community College where she retired in 1999. During retirement, Barbara started her own business in 2004 called Books Done. Her company provided bookkeeping services to small businesses where she had many clients over the years. She officially retired a second time at the age of 89, concluding a second 31-year career as a bookkeeper at the Paulist Center in Boston.

Having a strong passion for acting, for 25 years Barbara was involved in many musicals with the Mass Bay Players, the Needham Community Theater, and the Foot Light Club. Barbara enjoyed acting and singing in many Broadway musicals including The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Carnival, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver, The Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka and more. Barbara was also an active member of the Paulist Center choir where she regularly sang at the weekend evening mass.

Barbara was a remarkable woman of strength, resilience and independence. She recently celebrated 57 years of personal growth while dedicating much of her life to mentoring, supporting and sponsoring dozens of others on their own personal journeys. Her relationship with these individuals remained resilient even up until her death.

Barbara is survived by her cousins, Helen Kisiel of Watertown, Joanne Kaleta of Enfield CT, Katherine Baumert of West Suffield CT, Mary Kaleta of Easthampton MA and Janet Kaleta (William) of Southampton MA. Barbara also leaves behind a nephew KJ Jamrok (Joy), and nieces Debra Jamrok, Kara Burgess (Robert), and three grand nephews, Taylor, Cameron (Barbara’s godson) and Jack. A dear niece, Sharon Jamrok, predeceased her in 2000 and one of Barbara’s closest friends from Holyoke, Connie Jamrok, also predeceased her in 2022. Barbara also had many dear friends, River House neighbors, health care aides and Paulist Center colleagues whom she cherished while taking a genuine interest in their lives.

A true animal lover with a heart of gold, Barbara’s home was always a safe haven for a rescue dog. Over her 90-years, one of Barbara’s greatest joys was caring for ten Shih-Tzu’s while providing them with a safe and comfortable home, including her current and beloved dog, Sophie.

A memorial service will be held at the Paulist Center located at 5 Park St in Boston on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 11:00am, followed by a celebration gathering at the Paulist Center auditorium.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Eileen’s House, a residential treatment program serving women recovering from substance abuse disorder. Your donation can be sent to Eileen’s House, care of the Gavin Foundation at 675 East 4th Street, Boston, MA 02127. You can also donate online by accessing the following Gavin Foundation donation link https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/GavinFoundation/eileenshouse.html. Whatever option you choose, please remember to note that your donation is being made as a tribute to Barbara Dunay.