Josephine A. Dunn

Great Grandma Josephine "Jo" Catherine Anthony Dunn has passed at 108. She drafted her obituary. She of the God-given quirky sense of humor, the perennial optimist, the natural story teller, the avid reader, the writer and poet; born January 28, 1910 in Scranton, PA to Floyd Phillips Anthony and Nettie Blanch Wright Anthony, she passed peacefully May 8, 2018 at the Riverview Manor in Owego of complications due to advanced years. These things happen after 108 years. She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, William C Dunn Sr. She grew up in Dalton, Clark Summit, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton, PA where she attended Central High and graduated from Lackawanna Business College in 1928. Married to the best dancer among her beaus, Bill, in 1936; in 1949 Jos family became permanent residents of Newark Valley, NY. Jos dream came true. Shed always wanted to live in a small town, and NEVER MOVE, so that she and her children could put down roots26 Brook Street was her "Shangri-La" and her family flourished there for 65 years. She nurtured her family in word and deed. Jo made sure that reading magazines, newspapers and novels was a constant for all. Her family sat to a home cooked dinner promptly at 5 with talk of the day and family stories. Incredible meat loaf, stuffed pork chops, chicken cacciatore, pot roast, Welch cookies and her moms, Netties, apple pie were staple treats. Every Sunday, after church, there was a formal dinner on the good Syracuse China with the real Oneida silverware. And tea was always served, the once weekly day of this beverage. Her table always had beautiful flowers just cut from Bills masterful garden. (And Bill was always flattered and slightly aghast at the cut flowers, seeing that his carefully designed flower garden had been "edited.") There were wonderfully reassuring rhythms to Newark Valley life. With her phenomenal memory for tunes and lyrics, humming a tune from 1902 or 1982, Jo walked to the post office, library and grocery store every day usually cutting across the Snyders and Lusks back lawns. Neighborhood coffee klatches. Card Clubs. Warm afternoons and evenings in the screen house by the flower gardens. Bill grilling steaks from Woods Meat Market and neighbors dropping by. The air filled with the sounds of kids playing all over the street. Every Easter, Fourth, Brook St. Picnic, Thanksgiving and Christmas were full family celebrations looked forward to by all for both food and sense of belonging. And all those Fridays at Metros for pizza left us all spoiled; no family time nor pizza can ever compare. Jo was a member of the Newark Valley Congregational Church (UCC) for 65 years. She held many offices, best known as the Church Historian and for her weekly columns for 50 years in the church newsletter, "The Steeple." Jo said, "It makes my heart sing when people tell me they enjoyed my column." Jo was a Secretary of Dorcas Society and Past Matron and 50 year member of Onyx Chapter 196 Order of the Eastern Star. She held offices in HB Book Club, PTA, Cub Scouts, NV Pinochle Club, and Congregational Couples Club. In Scranton, Jo worked as a secretary for Dunn & Bradstreet, The Wesel Mfg. Co., and with husband Bill owned two "Five and Dime" variety stores. In Newark Valley, Jo worked 20 years as a local news stringer for the Binghamton Press and the Tioga Courier, as a secretary for the Newark Valley High School Librarian Loretta Merrithew, and as a secretary for Adah Ogdens Insurance Company. A writer at heart, beyond her secretary, newspaper and historian jobs AND her constant informative, clipping-filled, loving letters to family and friends; she contributed frequently to the Newark Valley area newspaper, the "Tioga County Herald" (published weekly in Newark Valley by Loyd and Gracie Allen), and to a local magazine "The Moonlighter." Jos stories were also published in Readers Digest "Life in these United States," Reminiscence Magazine and Reminiscence hard cover book. The stories continued with the many years Jo entertained children with Bible stories and books at the Congregational Church Summer Camp. Survived by: Sons William (Virginia) Dunn Jr.-Owego, NY and Jay (Linda) Dunn-Eaton NY. Grandchildren Jason (Courtnay) Dunn-AL, Matthew (Erin) Dunn-Madison, NY, Katherine (Judson) Dunn-Ames-Cazenovia, NY, Sarah (Brendan) McCann-Vienna, VA. Step-grand daughters Debbie ONeil, Kristin Downey TX; great grandchildren: Emily & Josh ONeil, John & Michael Downey of TX; Jackson, Jenna, Abbey & Bailey Dunn, Raley Woodall of AL; Evelyn Dunn of NY; Atlas William Ames of Cazenovia NY. Cousin Beverly (Joe) West VA; nephews Harry (Linda) Kellow PA, Daniel (Betty) Dunn NY. Dear friend and neighbor Jane Wheeler; Riverview roommate Anna Juda. And all Newark Valley-ians who extended both heart and hand: " Rosies Luncheon Gang," Debbie Richards, Rosalie Wright. And so many, many others, some of whom have gone on ahead. Jo found something good about everyone and everything. She leaves a legacy of kindness, love and laughter. Memorial services will be held at the Newark Valley Methodist Church on July 9th , 2018 at 11 am with a period of visitation from 10 am until time of service. Jo wished that donations in her honor would go to the Tappan-Spaulding Memorial Library in Newark Valley. Visitation First United Methodist Church Monday, July 09, 2018 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Main St Newark Valley, New York 13811 Directions Memorial Service First United Methodist Church Monday, July 09, 2018 11:00 AM Main St Newark Valley, New York 13811 Directions