
Frances joined the USNR Nurse Corps in 1943, concluding her Military Service in 1945 as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. She met and married Walter C. Dunn, Jr., Lieutenant, USNR Air Corps, at NAS Pax River, Patuxent River, MD, on May 7, 1945. They were married for 46 years, until Walter’s death in 1991.
After the war, the Dunns moved to Troy, NY, where Frances resumed her nursing career and Walter received his degree from RPI, beginning a life-long career as an engineer. In 1979, they returned to the greater Lowell area. Frances retired from the VA Memorial Hospital, Bedford, MA, in 1986.
As a Registered Nurse, Frances was the caretaker for generations of family members. She was also the family historian and genealogist.
Frances was member of the Ballykilcline Society, the Dunstable Historical Society, the Chelmsford Genealogy Club, and with her sisters, Carolyn and Natalie, an avid member of the Learning in Retirement Association. In 2004, Frances moved to Alfred, Maine, and became a member of the Friends of Alfred Shaker Museum.
In recent years, Frances lived with her daughter, Patricia, and husband, Charles King in Hampton, NH.
Survivors include Frances and Walter’s children: Mary Lee Dunn Maguire, Alfred, ME; Jane Dunn Millett, Brunswick, ME; Norma Dunn Slattery, Berryville, VA; and Patricia Dunn King (Charles), Hampton, NH. She is survived by six grandchildren and five great grandchildren: Sara Millett (David) Au, Orlando, Florida, and children, Derek and Kathleen; Reilly Millett, Boston, Massachusetts; Aric Slattery, Berryville, Virginia; Daniel Maguire (Clare Tidby), Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and daughter Evan Tidby Maguire; Moira Slattery Biwott and daughters Malaika and Leah Frances Biwott, Alexandria, Virginia; Justin Maguire, Salem, Massachusetts; and many nieces and nephews.
Frances was predeceased by her sisters: Carolyn (Mrs. John) Fowler, Billerica and Groton; Natalie (Mrs. William) Lavoie, Lowell; Norma (Mrs. Thomas) Quinn, Chelmsford; and Joan (Mrs. Ralph) Markee, Dunstable.
As our beloved mother, Frances leaves a void, sorely missed by all who knew her. Her family gratefully thanks the staff of Webster at Rye for their care and kindnesses to our Mom and our family these recent months.
Visiting hours Friday 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. Funeral Saturday at 8:00 AM from the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD, with a funeral Mass at 9:00 AM St. John the Evangelist Church. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. Donations in Frances’ memory can be made to the Webster at Rye, Rannie Webster Foundation, or the Alfred Shaker Museum’s endowment fund. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com.
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