Mary J. Dahn

Obituary
Mary Jane Dahn, 93, passed away October 4, 2023. Mary was born in Binghamton, NY August 12, 1930, the daughter of Luther and Mildred Arnold. Mary is survived by her daughter; Susan Frost of Binghamton, a son; Stephen (Linda) of Peachtree City, GA, 2 grandchildren; Christopher of Gambrills, MD, and Jessica of Atlanta, GA. 2 great-grandchildren; Meredith and Maxwell Dahn, one brother; Harold James Arnold (Diane), and 18 nieces and 10 nephews. Mary was pre-deceased by her husband Robert L. Dahn, her parents and 4 sisters; Mildred Christian, Evelyn Miller, Shirley Whitcomb, Elsa McFall, and 5 brothers; Raymond, Bernard, Lewis, Paul, and Robert Arnold, as well as 5 nieces and 2 nephews. Family, whether immediate or extended was important to her. As a young woman Mary worked for the Arlington Hotel dining room, and after marriage she worked for the Cameo Theater in the ticket booth. As was the custom at the time she became a full-time housewife and mother after her first child was born. Growing up Mary was a member of the Grace Baptist Church in Binghamton, and upon marriage joined the East Side Congregational UCC where she served as the Kindergarten Church School teacher for many, many years. She also served on the Christian Education Committee, was President of the Women's Fellowship, and served in a variety of other capacities in the life of the church. Mary was a dedicated church member at East Side Congregational for 75 years. Mary was an active member and volunteer in several organizations; The Good Shepherd Fairview Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, and Church Women United. As a member of the Binghamton Garden Club, she was an avid birder, flower and vegetable gardener, and appreciated being in nature, whether it was camping or bird watching at her small cottage in Windsor. Especially watching those miraculous little hummingbirds. Mary volunteered for the General Hospital Auxiliary for years pushing the library cart to and from patients' rooms. Mary and her husband volunteered for the Binghamton North High School Band Boosters, shuttling the timpanis in their car to various venue's where the band was preforming. In 1989 Mary and her husband Robert set up the C.H.O.W. food pantry at the East Side church and worked faithfully as C.H.O.W. volunteers for 26 years. Mary excelled at cooking and baking and was an avid reader. She would read books on all subjects, and when Macular Degeneration took her sight, she switched to audio books. Throughout her adult life Mary had read through the Bible 22 times, reading a chapter a day in various translations. Mary served God with an enduring, steadfast faith. She believed, first and foremost, in loving God. Mary saw goodness in everyone and treated everyone she met with respect. She was always willing to be of service to others. Mary offered kindness and grace to whoever crossed her path.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday October 21st at the East Side Congregational Church, 284 Robinson St. Binghamton. Rev. Joanne Ferguson will officiate. Burial will be at a later date at the Forest Hills Cemetery, Fredonia, NY. Memorial gifts can be made to the East Side Congregational Church or if you wish your donation to go to C.H.O.W please send to the church and designate it C.H.O.W.. Services provided by the Hopler & Eschbach Funeral Home, Binghamton. Sign her guestbook at www.HEFUNERALHOME.com
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