| Date of Birth | September 6, 1926 |
| Passed Away | February 4, 2015 |
| Place of Residence | Hornell |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | February 9, 2015 |
| Service Time | 1:30 PM |
| Service Location | St. Ann's Church, Hornell |
| Interment Location | St. Mary's Cemetery, Town of Fremont |
MARY FRANCES DUNNING
HORNELL-Mary Frances Dunning, 88, of Hornell St., passed away, surrounded by her loving family, Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 4, 2015) at McAuley Manor in North Hornell.
Born in Hornell on Sept. 6, 1926, she was the eldest child of the late Edward and Kathryn “Katie†McEntee.
A lifelong resident of Hornell, Mary Frances attended St. Ann’s School, graduated from Hornell High School and also attended Geneseo State Teachers College.
Mary Frances often reminisced about working at the Fanny Farmers store in Hornell along with her co-workers, Liz and Margie Green; she also was employed at Steuben Trust Company in the accounting department.
In 1946 she met the love of her life, Richard Dunning, and they courted to the sounds of the Big Band era. Many weekends they would travel to Loon Lake to listen to bands like, Benny Goodman, Ken Whiting and Bob Crosby. The two lovers married on October 31, 1949 and raised a family together giving birth to Kathryn Ann, Jann Lillian, Margaret Frances “Peg†and Rich.
After their children were grown, Mary Fran returned to work at the former Irving School and eventually at the former St. Ann’s School in Hornell, where she taught sixth, seventh and eighth grade for 20 years. She was also an entrepreneur and health nut who sold Shaklee vitamins for many years.
Mary Fran and Dick were always involved in the Hornell community. She was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, a member of the Hornell Republican Club and served as a delegate to the 1968 Republican convention in New York City, a past president of the Hornell PTA and also served as a Bluebird leader. She was an avid reader and loved to knit or crochet clothing for her family. Her warmth and care of her kids and grandchildren will be remembered forever.
She was predeceased by her husband, Richard Dunning, a former mayor of the City of Hornell on May 29, 1989 after 40 years of marriage; all of her siblings, Patrick McEntee, Rosemary “Mitzi†McEntee Murphy, Joan McEntee, Phillip McEntee and her grandson, Robert Hennessey McCarthy.
Her loving family includes her four children, Kathryn Ann (Robert) Carson of North Ft. Myers, Fla. Jann Lillian McCarthy of Rochester, Margaret Frances “Peg†(Eric) Smith of Wellsboro, Pa. and Rich (Lisa) Dunning of Hornell; her nine grandchildren, Jeffrey Carson, Jamie Carson, Kelly Carson Ector, Sean Patrick McCarthy, Mara Kathleen McCarthy New, Hannah Smith, Lauren Margaret “Maggie†Smith, Richie Dunning and Isabel Anna Dunning; also her nieces and nephews
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Mary Frances Dunning.
Calling hours are 7-9 p.m.Sunday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell. Friends are invited to meet her family at St. Ann’s Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Monday. Committal prayers and interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to the Hornell Area Family YMCA Building Fund, 18 Center St., Hornell, N.Y. 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
Peggy & Eric, our thoughts and prayers are with you guys. Last time I saw you we spoke about our mothers being good friends in school.
God Bless, & take care
Bernie
To all the Dunning family, my prayers are with you in this time of need. Always had some nice vists with your mom in her good and bad days. God bless you all.
So very sorry to hear about Mes. Dunning. She was my favorite teacher while at St. Ann’s. I always enjoyed visiting your parents at your home; your Mom (and Dad) were so welcoming. I liked talking with your Mom about her you her younger days, especially about her trips to Yankee Stadium. I rember you Mom making cherry cordials and inviting me to share one with her. I was surprised I liked it though it was probably her company I enjoyed. My parents always liked your Mom and Dad too. I’ll miss those talks with your Mom. I’m on my way to Hornell to pay my respects to a great lady and friend.
Our condolences to the family. Mrs. Dunning was one of my teachers there. I will always remember her stern way of teaching but will remember the times I used to make her smile. She really did love all of us kids. She was one of my favorite teachers. May she rest in peace.
Jimmy Wachter
My condolences to the family. Mary Fran and her family were a special part of my life growing up.
I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Dunning’s passing. She was my favorite teacher at St. Ann’s. I have moved away from Hornell, but I still visit on occasion. The last time I saw her, we were both shopping at Wegmans. She told me that she always felt the need to give me a little extra care and kindness, because I lost my dad prior to entering the 6th grade. I didn’t know it then, but as a mom, I sure can appreciate it now. For that, she will always have a special place in my heart.
Rich,
My wife and I send our condolences! She was such a kind lady. We are thinking of you during this difficult time.
Rich, just heard about your mom..prayers to all the family. so sorry for your loss..Bruce Cameron and family