Marilyn Dunn

WEST GARDINER – Marilyn Dunn, 95, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2025. She was born Jan. 20, 1930, to Ralph and Georgia Pottle and was a 1948 graduate of Gardiner High School. On her 19th birthday she married her childhood sweetheart, Richard Dunn, a WWII POW who grew up down the road from Marilyn’s family.

She thrived as a housewife by raising her children, teaching Sunday School, and working miracles on a budget. She retired in 1991 from the school lunch program in West Gardiner. Her retirement was spent square dancing, hiking, and birdwatching around Maine with her husband and dear friends Norman and Hope Spear. She also was an avid cribbage player and crafter who gifted homemade quilts and afghans to family members for special occasions.

Despite her dementia, Marilyn held fond memories of growing up on her small family farm with brothers Clifford and Charles (Pottle) and sister Marjorie (McCausland). She was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 58 years, and her siblings.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Patrick Dunn (Lori Stockman) of Reno, Nev. and Pamela Kinney (Scott Baldwin) of Gray; grandchildren, Dr. Brian Kinney (Dr. Taylor Kinney), Heather Welch (Dana Welch), and Catalina Dunn (Juan Valencia); great grandchildren, Kiley, Parker, Jackson, and Bennett.

Graveside services will be in the spring at Cherry Hill Cemetery in West Gardiner.

The family would like to thank the 4 West staff at d’Youville Pavilion for their compassionate care as well as Beacon Hospice for providing unwavering support in Marilyn’s final months.

Arrangements and guidance are under the direction of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, ME. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family by visiting the Staples Funeral Home website http://www.StaplesFuneralHome.com.

Donations may be made in Marilyn’s memory to:

The Maine

Children’s Home

93 Silver St.

Waterville, ME 04901

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