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Wendy Dunbar Obituary
SHAVERTOWN — Wendy Sue Dunbar, 54 , of Shavertown, passed away peacefully at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center surrounded by family on Sunday, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Wendy was a loving, caring and compassionate mother, grandmother, daughter, fiancé, sister and friend.
Born April 5, 1964, Wendy was a graduate of Dallas High School, class of 1982. Following high school, Wendy earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at College Misericordia. She was a dedicated teacher for more than 32 years, and most recently taught at Good Shepherd Academy. She will be greatly missed by the numerous faculty, students and their families.
Wendy was a member of the former Saint Hedwig's Parish and a current member of Saint Therese's church in Shavertown. She was preceded in death by her infant brother, Paul; maternal grandparents, John Sr. and Lottie Yudiski; paternal grandparents, Peter and Pauline Kerpovich; godfather and uncle, John Yudiski Jr.; and several aunts and uncles.
Wendy is survived by her beloved daughters, Kaley Dunbar, of Luzerne, Ashley Dunbar, of Boston; beloved grandson, Maxwell Michael Patrick, of Luzerne; parents, Arthur and Patricia Kerpovich, of Shavertown; sisters, Karen Neare (Anthony), of Tunkhannock, Jaclyn Shemanski (Robert), of Kingston, Kristen Roppelt (Robert), of Shavertown. Wendy leaves behind her beloved fiancé, Ron Orkwis and their three cherished dogs, Rock, Rubee and Rosee; Ron's daughter, Mickey Handley (Mike); and their three children, Samantha, Connor and Isabella, of Dallas. She is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Wendy's beauty, compassion, and enthusiasm for life was evident in her love for her family. She was a caring daughter to her parents and a loving mother who would do any and everything for her daughters, fiancé and three dogs. The love of her life and fiancé, Ron, shared 10 wonderful years together and endless memories. Wendy especially loved her grandson, Maxwell, who was the light of her life. In her words, "I love my two daughters more then anything, but there is nothing like the love for my grandchild." She especially enjoyed traveling, shopping, exercising and spending time in the sun on the boat with her family and friends. She will also be greatly missed by numerous friends and colleagues.
Many hearts will never be the same as Wendy touched each and every person she encountered with her kind and loving soul, endless compassion and love for all. She wishes for others to carry on her positivity and strong charisma.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Therese's church in Shavertown at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Kopicki Funeral Home, 263 Zerbey Ave., Kingston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Fund.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Wendy Dunbar
Nola Carsillo
September 23, 2023
Mrs. Dunbar,
You are my mind today. Thinking about how much of an impact you made on my life. You taught me so many important things, were so patient with our class through countless pieces of literature. Beautiful inside and out. Thank you for teaching me. Love always
Nola C
Beth Ross
August 20, 2023
My Dearest Friend in Heaven,
I´m sort of reliving your passing all over again because of the principals at Holy Redeemers death from cancer as well. She too was only 54 years old way too soon to die.
It´s a terrible reality that haunts me so many times a year that you´re gone and I miss our wonderful friendship and our fun times while teaching. Life is so unfair but it´s the way it is so no complaining. Continue to look down on us and send me a sign that you´re ok!
Love you my friends rest in peace until we meet again
Still sad,
Beth
Beth Ross
August 20, 2020
My Dearest friend in Heaven,
Soon it will be 2 years since you are gone and the pain is still fresh in my heart. It is still so unbelievable to wrap my head around your passing. The world is very different these days as I'm sure you are seeing. It is a tough time to be a teacher, especially an old lady like me, almost 60 lol. I'm a bit comforted in the fact that you do not have to go through this in our world today. I'm equally as sad because I really need your positive outlook and wonderful way you had to make me feel better and be able to manage things together. I miss you my friend and ask you to work your magic in heaven for all of us on Earth to help us cope, be strong and survive for our students. I talk about you very often and use you as a wonderful person who enjoyed every day God blessed you with. You were an inspiration to me and many, many others. Your legacy will live on in our hearts forever. Grateful to have called you friend, colleague, partner in crime(lol), and confidant, blessed to have so many wonderful memories. Missing you still!
Love,
Beth
Beth Ross
August 21, 2019
I can't believe it's been a year that your gone. You have left an unbelievable void in my broken heart. As I begin another school year without you, I'm reminded of how short life is and how our very last discussion was how I must remain strong, but I'm not strong anymore my friend. I still miss you, cry to you and pray to you to give me the strength that you always displayed. Everyone says life goes on but for me it's a daily struggle to find the answer as to why you were taken away when you were needed by so many. I'm glad your suffering ended, you didn't deserve any of this. For myself, I'm still mourning your death my friend and our visits are numerous. I'll never get over this even though I know and believe in God's plan. I love and miss you immensely Wendy. Send me down some of your strength. We all miss you at GSA but your memorial statue keeps you alive in the students and faculties hearts forever. Pray for us all!
Jane Straub
September 5, 2018
Jackie Shemanski and family, Mom and I are so very sorry to hear of your sister's passing. I did not know that this was your sister. Maryann told me this yesterday. Once again so very sorry for your loss.
Zachary Schultz
August 31, 2018
To the Family of Mrs Dunbar, I am very sorry for your loss. Mrs Dunbar was my 3rd grade teacher. She was the best teacher. She always had a funny story to tell us. She will be missed by all of us. I am so glad I got to know her.
Mary Brown
August 29, 2018
Kristen, Bob and Nate
My thoughts and prayers for you and your family. May the lord guide you threw the days to come.
Love You
Mary Roppelt Brown
Donna and Christa Comiskey
August 29, 2018
8/29/18
Our deep and faithful prayers are shared with you, Wendy Dunbar;
and your Daughters: Kaley and Ashley,
Grandson, Maxwell;
Fiancée Ron;
Parents: Art and Pat Karpovich;
Sisters: Karen, Jaclyn, and Kristen;
loving family members, friends and the thousands of STUDENTS whom were so BLESSED and Privileged to have been taught and nurtured by you!
Rest In Peace my precious Dear Heart!
Wendy, our life lives are better in part due to your positive lifetime marked effect of your good works, gentle teaching and moral leadership in and out of the classroom.
Thank you for your dedicated service to US: our children, schools, church and community.
Wendy, your legacy lives on through the hundreds and thousands of lives you touched, taught, guided,
re-directed, counseled; shared laughter, dances and CELEBRATED LIFE with.
We hold you in our loving thoughts, fond memories and prayers!
Say Hi! Walter
God Bless...
LOVE,
Donna and Christa Marie Comiskey
Koel Kurash
August 29, 2018
I am sad to see her go she was a great teacher and always was a great human being I missed have her as a teacher but she still helped a lot of kids with school I hope she is living a better life now.
Julie Berry
August 29, 2018
Sending my deepest condolences to the family. Mrs. Dunbar was my son's teacher at GSA and he absolutely adored her, as did I. She was incredibly kind. She always made him laugh, and he would come home telling me a funny story about what she did that day. His love of mints came from Mrs. Dunbar throwing them in class. She will be greatly missed by the GSA family. May loving memories ease your loss and bring you peace and comfort.
Kim H
August 29, 2018
Our heart felt sympathies go out to Wendy's family, she was an exceptional woman and we will miss her terribly.
Love and prayers to all who knew her.
The GWV Outpatient Girls
Danielle Kelly
August 28, 2018
So sorry for ur loss we knew Ms Dunbar my daughter had her at GSA she was a very nice god bless her sending prayers your way
Renie Stitzer
August 28, 2018
I'm so sorry for your loss, I didn't know Wendy personally but did know her from GSA while picking up some children. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Jenny and Brandon❤
August 28, 2018
We had the pleasure of meeting Wendy on her visits to Utah to see Ashley. She was so kind and warm and always made us laugh at her exasperation with her youngest:). We love the Dunbar family and our hearts are with you❤
sarah delzeit
August 27, 2018
We're all going to miss you. i still am in shock this is happening. you were one of my favorite teachers at gsa. fly high
Julie Mizenko
August 27, 2018
Dear Kaley and Ashley,
On behalf of myself and my mother, we are sending you our deepest condolences. Your mother was not just an amazing woman, she was an amazing teacher, mother, friend and fan of all those she loved. Hearing about her passing leaves us all a bit empty. I am blessed to say I was able to have her as a teacher in 4th grade at Saint Als and that she taught me so much about love and friendship, she very much so valued her career. If there is anything you girls need, please do not hesitate to ask.
Dana Argento
August 27, 2018
Mrs. Dunbar is a big reason why I am a teacher today...She was an amazing teacher with a kind heart and I am so blessed to have had her as a huge influence in my life... Ill never forget our times at St. Als...If I am half as good of a teacher as she was then Ill consider myself lucky...thank you Mrs. Dunbar for everything...rest easy angel
Joan Behm
August 27, 2018
Wendy was such an upbeat, fun- loving and positive person. She always had a smile and kind word. I recently spent time with her at a wedding catching up. She spoke with love and joy about her girls and the amazing Max. Proudly showing off pictures of her grandson. My heart is heavy that this beautiful women was taken so soon. Love and blessings to all who are grieving her loss.
Brenden Makarczyk
August 27, 2018
Mrs Dunbar, my sister Amara & I miss you so much. You were always so funny & nice. Rest easy.
Jeannie Becker
August 27, 2018
Art & Patricia & family,
My deepest sympathies on the passing off Wendy.
May the Lord comfort you during this difficult time with many precious memories with her.
Matt talked very highly of Wendy and she will be missed by many. Godspeed Wendy.
Tara Ann Gring
August 27, 2018
I'm so sorry for your your loss. Mrs. Dunbar was my son 3rd grade teacher at Good Shepherd Academy, he loved everything about her and would always come home with a funny story that she had told the class. She will be greatly missed at GSA. My thoughts are prayers are with all of you.
Raegan Suda
August 27, 2018
I will miss you so much at school and not being able to talk to you or see you anymore. You were an angel on earth as you are in heaven now rest in peace Mrs. Dunbar :(
Tracy Bogdan
August 27, 2018
Mrs. Dunbar was my daughter's 3rd grade teacher at Good Shepherd Academy. She was a wonderful teacher and we are so sad to hear of her passing. She touched so many lives and we will never forget her.
Cheryl Roberts
August 27, 2018
I will forever remember Wendy for her kindness, for how she loved life and had fun living it and was always smiling and enjoying herself and others. I admire how she spoke so lovingly of her family and loved ones. It was a good life, taken from us too soon. My sympathy goes to the many who loved her and are mourning the loss of such a beautiful person.
The Phares Family
August 27, 2018
My heart breaks today, We are so sorry for the loss of Wendy. She was my daughter Jessica's 3rd grade teacher and made such an impact on her when someone would ask Jessica who her favorite teacher was she didn't even need to think about it. It was Ms Dunbar. My thoughts and prayers go out to her whole family and all of her friends . God bless my dear friend Wendy you will be missed .
Jillian Glasser
August 27, 2018
I went to school with Wendy. She was always a good friend. Her family has my deepest sympathies. She will truly be missed.
Jillian Glasser, Spring House, PA
August 27, 2018
Dear Kaley and Ashley,
My Deepest Sympathy to you both at this very difficult time. May the special memories you have of your beloved Mother help to comfort you in the days ahead.
Thoughts and prayers,
Mrs. Cindy Gegaris (St. Al's)
Beth Ross
August 27, 2018
Kaley, Ashley, Ron, Mr. & Mrs. Kerpovich and Sisters,
I'm so incredibly sorry about the passing of my dear friend, your mother, fiance, daughter and sister. She was my dear friend and colleague for over 30 years. I can't even imagine going to GSA and not having her there to laugh with, complain to and simply to talk with. The pain in my heart is huge but I remember her endless words of encouragement that always made life more bearable. I'm heartbroken beyond words but my prayer is that her final days of peace will help us all cope and continue to keep her positive spirit alive in our words, thoughts, and actions! She was revered by all teachers, students, and their families. May God's healing presence help us through this most difficult task of saying goodbye to a life so lived, taken way too soon. I love you my friend, thank you for enriching my life by your kindness, compassion, and encouragement. My life, and the world is a greater place because of your influence. R.I.P. my dear friend and colleague, I will miss you immensely!!
God bless you all!
Beth Ross and Family
Jo Anne Barat
August 26, 2018
I was so sad to hear of your loss. Wendy was a great teacher who had a huge impact on my children Caitlin and Matthew's lives at St Al's. You will be remembered with smiles, laughs and love.
Michael Barat
August 26, 2018
I am so sad to hear this news. She was an awesome teacher and person. She always had a big heart and just as big smile. I hope she is at peace now.
The Correll Family
August 26, 2018
We are so sorry for the loss of Wendy. She was a great inspiration to so many people in her life. Wendy will be missed by many.
Holly Pelton
August 26, 2018
My heart breaks tonight, she was always smiling and enjoyed her life so much. My thoughts and prayers go out to her whole family and all of her friends tonight and always. God bless and R.I.P my dear friend Wendy.
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