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Rosemarie "Ree" Dunham
1931 - 2017
Rosemarie "Ree" Dunham
1931 - 2017
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1931
DIED
2017
Rosemarie Dunham Obituary
She was a member of the YMCA and enjoyed flowers and working in her garden. She was known as the "anti litter lady" around town. She retired as the apartment manager at the Skinner Mansion in Painesville for 28 years. Prior to that she was proof reader for the News-Herald.
Rosemarie served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.
She is survived by her husband, Homer whom she married November 12, 1955; sons, Harry of Ft. Myers, FL, Michael of Texas and Matthew of Ft. Myers, FL; grandchildren, Elaine, Harrison and Dilan; sisters, Shelly Dunn of Harrisville, MI and Howie Dault of Elwell, MI.;
She is preceded in death by her sister, Eleanor Smith, her mother, Rose Evans, father, Elwood Deenes and stepfather, Howard Apsey.
A memorial service will be held 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Johnson Funeral Home, 368 Mentor Avenue, (opposite Lake Erie College), Painesville. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Lake Humane Society, Hospice of the Western Reserve or the Salvation Army.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jody H.
August 15, 2021
Thinking of the Dunham family today and
found this 2005 letter to share.
November 12, 2005
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dunham,
I'm sitting at my desk, thinking about your 50th Anniversary, hoping to find the words to say what's in my heart. I've been looking at a picture I took of you. You're both standing in front of my Dad's blue spruce trees. When we first moved to Mentor Avenue, those trees were babies, but when I look at this picture, the best times of my childhood come running back. Growing up on Shandle, we kids were free to be and the world was ours. We've carried this along with us ever since. We're made from the woods, the orchard and the wilds of Shandle as much as we are made from Mom and Dad. At your house, I always felt welcome. I felt seen and heard as a person, not just a kid. I always think of you as my other parents. When I lived at your big blue house, I would go upstairs after work and Mrs. Dunham and I would talk. I would tell you my secrets. I felt as if you knew about my hidden good parts, so it was easy to tell you the truth. Some years later, Mr. Dunham and I had our first long talk. I always knew you for the brave dad who could harness electricity, drive, build and fix anything on earth. That day I also saw your love for books, history and learning, and how deeply you think. I always felt you two understood. Everyone who knows you, feels this. This way you are, is also in your kids, and so in your grandkids, and so through their kids to come. I realize there is something new made by the union of two good people that goes on. Often in ways they may never even know. That something is what I feel when I think of you. I realize this is how it feels when you keep someone in your heart. That is where you are.
(And always will be.)
Love,
Jody H.
Victoria Laughlin
August 13, 2021
Playing scrabble waa a favorite. Have plenty of fond memories of conversations etc around that scrabble game.love and Miss you dearly Ree I know Matt misses you too.
Jody Hummer
August 16, 2020
One of my special memories of Mrs. Dunham:
For a time in my 20s, I rented an apartment
in the Dunham-Skinner Mansion.
I would come home from my waitress job
and I would often run upstairs to see her.
She would stop whatever impressive project she was doing
around the big old house and sit with me at the oak table.
I would spill out my heart to her, about this or that. She listened-- knowing this young person was finding her way. She let me get it all out in the open, asking a question here or there, that always helped me figure it out.
She gave her time like this to everyone.
Ree Ree was my Mom’s best friend, they are both in Heaven now.
She was a best friend to all,
and my heart goes out to you all, in missing her so.
I wish the very best to Mr. Dunham and all the Dunham family, kids, and grandkids.
Sincerely,
Jody Hummer
Victoria Laughlin
August 13, 2020
Gone out of sight, but never out of our memories. What lovely stories we could tell. Ree Ree was a great lady loved by all.
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Victoria Laughlin
August 13, 2019
Not a day does not go by that a memory comes up in the family. Makes us laugh
You are gone but not forgotten. Love and miss you Ree-Ree
Mary Hummer
December 6, 2017
My dearest Ree Ree,
Thank you for all the years of being my best friend. I will forever hold you in my heart.
Love,
Mary
Homer and Ree
Jody Hummer
December 2, 2017
I just heard this sad sad news,
my heart goes out to
Mr. Dunham and the kids and all the friends who love and miss her so.
When in her loving presence, there felt no safer place.
I know the bond you have with her is unique in all the world.
There is no other person to compare, but
in case it might help in the smallest way,
here is what I have learned about losing
someone you love.
I learned
your love will never stop growing.
You will continue to learn from her,
and understand her.
This was a surprise.
I thought when people have to die,
the love and relationship between
them stops. But it does not.
Your love does not stop growing.
The relationship you have with her
does not stop with her death.
The bond you have with her will never break.
For the rest of your life,
you will learn new things from her.
The things she taught you already,
you will see in new ways.
You will continue to understand more
about the world through her.
Sometimes, it may feel like she is still there to advise you.
Maybe not in the way you might imagine right now, but it will happen.
You will know it, when it happens.
I don't know why or how this mystery,
but you will see.
Sometime in the future, you will look back on your life to come, and you will know
without a doubt, that
her love watched over you,
every day.
With caring,
Jody
Three important ladies in Shandle memories: Jean, Ree, and Mary, my mom.
Laurie Loomis
December 2, 2017
12/2/17
Family,
I just heard about your mom from your dad, today. I ran into him at Sammy's Restaurant in Grand River. My love to all of you. Your dad and I sat and chatted for awhile, reliving old memories of Shandle, about how we got there and what had happened since then. Tears and laughter for us both. I copy the picture that was posted here because Jean, and Ree and my mom were, and are special women to me. I love you, guys!!
Laurie Hummer Loomis
August 22, 2017
With deepest sympathy from the McVeigh Family Lois Kathy Anne
Ree and Cat..Big House Cart Speedway 10-10-16
Richard Flaherty
August 22, 2017
Ree and Cat, Cartland Speedway. 10/2016
Richard Flaherty
August 22, 2017
Ree Ree, I will miss our conversations, you smile, and your heartfelt presence. You raised a very large family, both by blood, and by associations. God and Heaven are the lucky ones now.
Rich
August 21, 2017
What a great time we had back in the old neighborhood. I will always remember Ree and her FABULOUS smile! She was a kind a caring lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Keith & Beth Davis
August 21, 2017
Sending our condolences to the Dunham family.
Pat Schweiger
August 20, 2017
I met ReeRee as a 17 year old girl, dating Harry and eventually becoming her daughter when we married in 1977. While Harry and I didn't last , Ree and Homer have always been part of my heart . Ree taught me so many things from making pies to canning pickles and making jam. Even stripping the mop boards in the big house. LOL.
.She had such a zest for life and gave our Elaine a great appreciation for living your life on your own terms . Ree will be missed greatly by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her . Rest In Peace . Love Pat
Laurene Klammer
August 20, 2017
Am so sad. Am truly going to miss your stories told with laughter lotsa laughter! RIP, Ree, a very good back door neighbor with a pie or or two, yum! Laurene
Victoria Laughlin
August 20, 2017
When I first met Matt I said to myself I have to meet his parents because I would like to know where this man comes from with his personality. Oh boy is he So Much like Ree she has such a Bubbly personality and kindness in her heart she would give you the shirt off her back if thats what it took wow just overwhelming. nothing but good times for the two of them I love that about the both of them. Ree you will So Be Missed by everyone you came to meet.
Ree and Dilan
Victoria Laughlin
August 20, 2017
Homer and Ree making her famous Ghoulash kapoo
Victoria Laughlin
August 20, 2017
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368 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, OH 44077
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