Mary Frances (Raphael) Dunham

Dear Yaya,
We´re missing you and, still remembered we were together years ago in Beijing. We very much appreciate the helping from your family.

Wang Ping

Dear Yaya, I finally got to revisit New York City this year. The moment I walked into your building, I thought about you, as if running into your grocery run to Westside Market. May you rest in peace. You are remembered. Echo

Dear Yaya, another year, still missing you. Time does fly and I still keep all the memory with you. All the best, Echo.

Still remembering you Yaya, a lot. Can't believe it has been a year. It still feels like yesterday that I got back from school, and running into you in the building. All the best, Echo.

I missed attaching the link to a National NewsPaper
"The Daily Star".
https://www.thedailystar.net/views/in-focus/news/mary-frances-dunham-memoriam-2905086

Dear Kate,
I just came across of knowing your Mom's passing away she had a wonderful Life and immense contributions to humanity in such vast ways across Continents and Languages -May she rest in Peace. You and family are blessed to have had this passionate Lady as your Mom. I am from Bdesh residing in California and am very familiar with Dhaka in the 60's and familiar with all that I just read thru..
Wish you all well and good health.

Rafiq

Dear Kate and family. I am so sorry to hear of Mary Frances' passing. I last saw her in Shanghai, when I visited there with a choral group. She was already suffering from Parkinsons, but we had a lovely evening of reminiscences.

I first met Mary Frances and Dan when I arrived in Dacca/Dhaka, then East Pakistan, as a very junior Foreign Service officer in 1963. I found out that there was this extraordinary couple in town, he was an architect, and she had brought her harpsichord along and had organized a weekly Baroque music group, including my colleague, the press officer, on flute, and a couple from the Cholera Research Lab, on recorders. Would I be interested in providing the continuo, since I played the cello? Well, yes of course, except that I hadn't brought my cello with me! But I met with the group at Dan and Mary Frances' house, and decided that I just had to figure out a way to join in. So I flew to Calcutta, rented a cello from a music shop, neglected to tell them that I was taking it to Pakistan, and brought it back to Dacca in the seat next to me on the plane. For the next year or so, we met every week and played Telemann, Bach, and other Baroque worthies, with our impromptu combo. I returned the cello to Calcutta before I left Dhaka in August of 1964.

I eventually left the Foreign Service and went to grad school in South Asian Studies at Penn, and when I was back in India doing PhD research, my husband (who was working for CARE) and I visited Dan and Mary Frances in Calcutta.
Our friendship endured over the years, as we stayed in touch with Christmas cards, but alas, not many visits. The lore of our joint experiences in Dhaka endured as an undying bond. I recently had a sense that I had not heard from Mary Frances for some time, and I wondered how she was. I know she is now at peace and I miss her inspiring presence. She was an extraordinary person, with a quiet manner and a will of steel. With fond wishes, Gail

Dear Yaya, I miss you a lot after I travel back to China, and I still miss you today. My New York days would not be the same without your gratitude, kindness and all your smiles. You and your family gave me a home away from home. I always wish I spent more time with you and had known you even more and I still regret that today. I would treasure every bit of our interaction and time spent together: delicious meals together, board games we played, family concerts, thanksgiving dinners...You will always be remembered. Dear Kate, Steve, Nick and Yaya, I am sorry for your loss.

I came to know Mary Frances when I was a student at Brearley and best buddies with Kate (Kathy!). Mrs. Dunham was so much fun and always involved in interesting activities and exposing me to new people. I'll always remember her for the spaghetti dinners she prepared and her bicycle. She was such a warm and friendly person with a golden spirit of service - I remember her as always helping people. She will be missed!! With deepest sympathy, Robin Murray-Gill Patton (Brearley '82).

I'm so sorry to get the news from Kate, and the momorial days I enjoyed with you are already clear in my mind, forever.

Dear Kate, Steve, Xano and Nick,
I´m so sorry for the loss of the incredibly kind, gentle and brilliant powerhouse, our Yaya. She was an inspiring force and impossible to forget. I was honored to know her and love her with you!
Big hugs, Jessie