Marguerite E. (Blanchard) Dunn

Marguerite E. (Blanchard) Dunn, age 64, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2021 after a long battle with breast cancer. Her family were by her side at the time.

Marguerite was born in Sufferin, New York, to Elwood P. and Barbara K. Blanchard. Marguerite graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and then the University of Delaware with a B.S. in Nursing. Marguerite married Robert (Bob) Dunn in 1984, and together they raised three sons, Geoffrey (Wetzel), and Rob and Eric Dunn.

Marguerite’s greatest joy in life was her family. She actively supported her sons’ interests in sports and the arts, whether on the field or stage, in concert or in a pool. She volunteered as a designer / seamstress for the Tatnall Theater Program for 15 years, and she was a Level 1 swim official for YMCA swim meets.

Marguerite left nursing to focus on raising her family, and later worked at Kitchen Kapers for 10 years. In 2011, she transformed her lifelong passion for sewing into her own business with her friend and college dorm mate, Sue Skinner, opening a custom drapery workroom for local designers.

Marguerite loved spending time at the family home in Rock Hall, MD. Long weekends with college friends and family vacations led to legendary good times. Feasts with freshly caught crabs from the creek behind the house provided a lifetime of laughter and happy memories. Sunsets with a glass of wine by the fire were a moment of quiet beauty. Marguerite never missed an opportunity to host friends and family, and passed on a love for cooking and entertaining to her sons.

Marguerite was a strong person of deep character. In life, as in sewing, it was either exactly right or wrong. She was not afraid to offer her view and she had a gift for phrasing that her friends and family collectively celebrated. She was very loyal to her friends and built deep, long lasting relationships. In the final months of her battle, her friend Josephine McBride was a constant support.

Marguerite is survived by her husband Bob, father Elwood Blanchard and stepmother Barbara D. Blanchard, her three children Geoff (Kelly), Rob and Eric, grandchildren Calvin and Gwendolyn, sister Bobby (Roger), brother Neal (Mary), as well as many nieces and nephews. The family thanks the doctors and staff at the Helen Graham Center for their compassionate and attentive care.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Marguerite’s memory to the Helen Graham Center or Serviam Academy, and tell your children and parents how much you love them.