Marian Janice Dunn, 99, Matriarch of the Dunn family, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home & surrounded by her loving family May 7, 2024. She was born January 19, 1925 in Bowling Green to the late Albert and Irene (Baker) Stevens. She married Donald E. Dunn on March 12, 1944 and he preceded her in death in 2001.
She was the last surviving member of Bowling Green High School class of 1942. In 1972, she opened Bowling Green’s first full time childcare center- Dunn’s Kiddie Kare on S. Prospect. She later purchased a larger building on Gorrell Avenue, where 52 years later, Dunn’s Kiddie Kare currently operates and is run by her daughter, Susie and granddaughter Kelsey. She adored all the kids and families that walked through the daycare doors and was remarkable at remembering and keeping up with their lives well beyond their Dunn’s Kiddie Kare Days.
Marian was proud to have appeared as a contestant on the Price is Right in 1958. Up until her final year of life, she spent every winter in Imperial Lakes, Florida where she was extremely active volunteering for their annual Bizarre, playing Bingo and daily floats in the pool with her friends.
A townie her entire life, Marian was a stranger to no one. She loved working the front gate for baseball tournaments at Carter Park for over 30 years. It was here she enjoyed reminiscing about players walking through the gate that attended the daycare and genuinely enjoyed talking to anyone that crossed her path. She was an avid garage saler- well into her 90’s, long time Wood County Hospital volunteer, member of the Bobcat Boosters, BGSU Falcon Club, Lady Elks and NAEYC. She never missed a morning listening (and occasionally calling in to) The Morning Show with Clint Corpe & Larry Weiss. Much to her surprise, she got to celebrate her 99th Birthday live on the Radio show with Clint- a memory her family will never forget.
Affectionately known as “Granny” to her many grandchildren, she was the epitome of what anyone could dream a grandparent to be. She was always present, supportive and interested in all of her grandchildren’s lives. She was an avid supporter of her granddaughter’s volleyball teams and rarely missed a game. She was extremely proud of all of her grandchildren’s endeavors and was not shy in sharing with friends, neighbors and even strangers what was going on in each of their lives. What brought Marian the most joy was a table full of family that was up for a competitive card game of “31”. Her little giggle while winning and taking her families quarters will be fondly remembered by each and every one of them.
99 years is a long time and although it doesn’t feel like long enough, the Dunn family feels very fortunate Marian was fully here- mind, body and spirit (mixed with a little orneriness) all the way up until the very end. She was dearly loved and will always be adoringly remembered.
Marian is survived by her 8 children Steve (Becky) Dunn, Kevin Dunn, Linda Dunn, Janice Jones, Judy (Larry) Reynolds, Susie Dunn (John Dias), Tim Dunn (Monica Kirby DeLeon) and Tom (Jenny) Dunn. She is also survived by her 16 grandchildren Shane, Jamie, Jessica (Ben), Brandon (Gabby), Heather (Greg), Ryan (Julie), Joel, Caitlin (Justin), Kelsey (Nick), Brittany (Rick), Ashley (Brett), Tyler (Kelsey), Mackenzie, Justin (Amanda), Jordan (Patrick) and Maddy (Keller), 19 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and 3 great-grandchildren on-the-way.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 57 years Don, stepmother Mae Stevens, sister Patricia (Jack) Falls, Aunt LaVerne (Ralph) Bray and son-in-law Norman Jones.
The Dunn family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Alex Campos for her dedicated care of Marian over the last couple years as well as the Heartland Hospice nurses who provided exceptional care and dignity for Marian in her final days.
Her funeral service will be held on Monday May 13, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 W. Wooster St. Pastor Scott Estep will officiate. Visitation will be held Monday at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 6:00 p.m. Private family burial will be held Tuesday at Oak Grove Cemetery in Bowling Green.
Memorial contributions may be given in her memory to BG Youth Baseball at Carter Park, P.O. Box 208 Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 or the Bowling Green High School Volleyball Program.
To share an online condolence or fond memory with the Dunn family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
