Joan Patricia Dunn, 83, of Yarmouthport, MA,  passed away on October 28 at the Mayflower Place Nursing Center in Yarmouth after an eighteen year battle with leukemia. She was born Joan Patricia Mahoney in Dorchester on January 27, 1933. Joan grew up in Hyde Park and graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1951. She worked as a bookkeeper in both a medical practice and a law firm while raising a family of six children. She was also an accomplished painter and vocalist, showing paintings at various art shows and singing at a variety of venues from the time she was in high school through her adult life.

Joan was the loving wife of Albert Dunn, Sr. and beloved mother of Edward Dunn and his wife Sally-Anne of Warren, the late William Dunn of Randolph, Dennis Dunn and his wife Christa of Weymouth, Susan Mackey and her husband John of Whitman, Albert Dunn, Jr. of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Lisa Dunn of Maynard. She was a doting grandmother to Amity, Edward, Lincoln, Melissa, Erin, Emily, Carol Anne, and Declan. Joan is also survived by a sister, Maureen Killeen, of Yarmouthport; her aunt, Ethel Mahoney, of Randolph; and many nieces and nephews.

Joan was a champion of arts and education in schools and communities and served with distinction on many boards and clubs. While raising her family in Randolph, she also served as the Co-founder and President of the Randolph High Drama Boosters, Co-founder and President of the Randolph Arts Association, and Chairman of the Massachusetts Arts Lottery Council. As Chairman of the Trustees of the Stetson School Fund in Randolph, she made improvements to the old Randolph Town Hall, preserving its history, and as Chairman of the Randolph Bicentennial Town Committee helped the community to celebrate the town’s 200th birthday.

Bringing her enthusiasm for arts and community service into retirement on Cape Cod, she served terms as both President and Treasurer of the Yarmouth Art Guild and was a member of the Raymond Moore Foundation of the Cape Playhouse. Her boundless enthusiasm, energy, and strength will be remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Visiting hours will be from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Friday, November 4 at the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 5, at Saint Pius X Church, Station Ave, South Yarmouth, MA. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory can be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.

Joan will be sorely missed. Love and condolences to Al and the family.

Condolences to the Dunn family from Deb's Hill Condo. Association

The Dawson family prayers are with you and your family, Ed. Our deepest sympathies.

Al, and family I offer my deepest sympathy, Joan went through eighteen years of sickness, just recently the loss of her son Billy. Did she look for sympathy No. We are well aware she was a real trooper in life. Joan you have gone home however you will not be forgotten in this life. God Bless you keep a seat warm for us