Mary grew up in Alabama living with her Mother (Hazel) and Grandmother (Etta) whom she loved dearly. They taught her the importance of God and family which she passed on to her own family through her love and devotion. She also passed on her love of football, music and chocolate. She was a loyal fan of the Crimson Tide and Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheering them on win or lose. Her proudest moment was when the Bucs won the Super Bowl. She loved to sing and listen to music especially Elvis, Tom Jones, Engelbart and pretty much anything on the radio. She also loved hymns. The Alzheimer’s took a lot of her memory, but she could still sing every word to the beloved hymns she had sung in church over the years.
Mary met George “Pete” Dunn while on a double date (Mary with George’s friend and George with Mary’s friend). They knew instantly that they were with the wrong person and began dating. On August 1, 1949, Mary married George at the Justice of the Peace in Dade County, Georgia. George and Mary lived in Gadsden where Mary gave birth to their first child, Charles (1952). A few years later, Mary and George moved to Clearwater, Florida where they would spend the rest of their time until George’s passing. During their time in Clearwater Mary gave birth to two daughters, Edith (1963) and Patricia (1966). She held 3 jobs during her lifetime, cashier at a movie theater as a teenager, working at Rite Aid Pharmacy after her children grew up but her most important job was caring for her home and family. She was always cooking family meals, sewing and cleaning. She made sure we always had a clean house, dinner together and made every costume we needed (we were in a lot of activities). Even with all of that, she found time to volunteer and help her friends and neighbors. Mary was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Clearwater for more than 50 years (joining on March 31, 1963). She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and made sure her children attended church on Sunday (not to mention all the chauffeuring, she did to get us to choir practices and youth group. She also volunteered at school as a Room Mom, library helper, and chaperoned field trips among other things but she especially loved being the Clearwater High Tornado Band Uniform Chairperson. We remember her being at practically every event we were involved. She was always there and now that we are older, we can really appreciate the sacrifices she made. She continued this love and devotion with her grandchildren, caring for them and attending events as she was able. She was a beautiful lady inside and out and she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
We would like to thank Harborchase of Palm Harbor for the love and care they gave our Mother over the last few years and to Suncoast Hospice for their compassion and support during her final days. If anyone would like to make a donation in Mary's name in lieu of flowers, we would request that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Suncoast Hospice or the First United Methodist Church of Clearwater.
Mary is survived by her son, Charles (Nancy) Dunn, daughters, Edith (Chris) Sterling and Patricia (Rich) Chapman, grandchildren, Justin (Sterling), Alisha (Chapman), Stephanie (Ryan) Fuetterer, Abbi (Chapman).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sylvanabbey.com for the Dunn family.
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