Mary Dunbar

Mary Dunbar
August 24, 1949 – June 23, 2025
Mary Dunbar, age 75, of Aurora, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on June 23, 2025. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who lived a life grounded in faith, service, and love. Born on August 24, 1949, she graduated from Madonna High School in Aurora in 1967. She was married to the love of her life, Michael Dunbar for 44 years.
Together, Mary and Mike raised three children and were blessed with 11 grandchildren. Mary was a proud and devoted mother and grandmother, always present and encouraging in the lives of her family. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren, and she leaves behind countless cherished memories with each of them.
Mary had a deep love of reading and a lifelong passion for learning. She was active in her community, especially through her involvement in a local book club and years of service at the Dominican Literacy Center, where she tutored adults. She also taught religious education classes and was a familiar and welcoming face in the parish office of Our Lady of Mercy, where she worked for over a decade.
A woman of strength, grace, and deep faith, Mary lived her beliefs through actions. She was known for her
strong will, organization, and a generous heart rooted in love for her family and her Catholic faith. In 2016, Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Over the past nine years, her family lovingly walked alongside her as the illness gradually took more from her.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Pauline Nauert, her sisters Teresa Wiskur and JoAnn Edmeier, her brothers John Nauert and Ken Nauert, and her granddaughter Gabrielle Kumpula. Mary is survived by her beloved husband Mike; their three children, Jason (Melissa), Sara (Josh), and Emily (Lucas); and her 11 grandchildren: Samantha, Adam, Nathan, Abby, Daniel, Ethan, Benjamin, Bentley, Nala, Eli, and Ripper as well as her brother Paul (Jane) Nauert and sisters
Dolores (Bill) VanDuzor and Jane (Lee) Hemberger and sister-in-law Sharon Nauert (Ken) and many nieces and nephews. She was deeply loved and will be missed beyond measure.
A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Aurora (701 S. Eola Road, Aurora, IL 60504) on July 5th, 2025 at 10:30am with visitation beforehand 9:30-10:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Mary's honor to the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org/.
Mary's legacy of faith, love, and service will continue to live on in those who were blessed to know her.