Paige Kaitlyn Dunn

Paige Kaitlyn Dunn passed away on September 4, 2024, in Independence, Missouri. She was 27 years old.
Paige was born on June 3, 1997. At 7 years old, Paige and her two brothers were adopted and joined her forever family, parents Jim & Jackie Dunn, and her new brother, Coby; a joyous announcement of their adoption read, "Our Family is All Dunn!"As a young girl, Paige was involved in a variety of activities including dance and gymnastics, and then in her early teens, she took to the challenge of tae kwon do, eventually earning her black belt. She loved to recount the story of a martial arts classmate telling a boy at school, "I wouldn't mess with her-she's tough!" Paige attended Park Hill South High School where she was a freshman cheerleader, and she participated in typical high school activities including dances, Young Life, and spending time with friends and family.
Paige had a kind heart, and she really excelled in her relationships with children and seniors. Paige regularly babysat in the neighborhood, and she was loved by kids and trusted by their parents. In high school, she worked in the dining room at a local retirement community, and residents commented often about her generosity as she sometimes visited them on her own time to help with tasks around their apartments. She often asked her grandparents to share stories about their lives and experiences, and she showed a genuine interest in connecting with their history as part of her extended family.
Paige enjoyed cooking and she had a flair for baking. She had a fun-loving spirit and an open mind to new experiences, and she was always available to her friends to go shopping, hang out, or try something new. Paige loved to travel and always made the most of family trips to places like Disney World, Branson, Colorado, Florida, and Hawaii, where she met her mom's extended family. On a Christmas trip to Cancun, she found a new friend who turned out to be the niece of a famous person-Paige loved showing people her selfie with celebrity Howie Mandel!
Paige was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Jack & Sue Gulick. She is survived by her parents, brothers Coby, Nicholas, and Tyler Dunn, and her paternal grandparents, Winnie Dunn and Tim Wilson and R.G. & Laura Dunn, and her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Paige has a son, Princeton, who was welcomed into the family with love. He will learn more about his mother as he gets older and is told stories about her by family and friends.
Paige had a difficult early childhood, and she struggled throughout her life to make sense of her experiences and to manage their impact and the trauma she endured. As a young adult, Paige made often self-destructive and tragic choices, but she always maintained a hopefulness that life could be better. Paige died of health complications related to addiction, and her family is saddened her story ended without her reaching a sense of peace and fulfillment in her life.
Paige's remains were scattered in Hawaii near a beach she visited with family many years ago, one of her favorite vacation memories.
Contributions can be made by check to the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, PO Box 505661, St. Louis, MO 63150-505661, or by credit card credit card donation form. Please note the foundation name "Dunn Family Foundation" and fund ID "dunn16" in the memo line. Funds will be used to provide assistance for special student needs at our local high school.