Patricia A. Dunn
Patricia A. Reilly Dunn, who lived on Newtown Lane in East Hampton for 50 years and in that time managed the Sea Spray Inn and worked as a real estate broker at the Windward and Devlin McNiff agencies, died on Aug. 13 at home in Ridge after a brief illness. She was 89.
In 1957, she and her husband, Joseph F.X. Dunn, whom she had married on March 9, 1952, moved with their three children to East Hampton, eventually settling on Newtown Lane in the village. They had three more children while living there.
“She was loyal, selfless, and loving,” her family said. They also remembered her as a talented writer and as someone who loved art.
Over the course of 50 years here, she was part of the community as a member of the Ladies Village Improvement Society and through her involvement with the public schools. Her family said she enjoyed her friends, a bridge club, long days at Main Beach, the Nature Trail in the village, and Amagansett’s Fresh Pond. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles, cards, bingo, boccie, and shuffleboard.
“She celebrated the simple things in life and embraced every moment,” her family said.
Born on April 14, 1925, in Brooklyn, her parents were Anna and Patrick Reilly. “Along with her twin sister, Joan M. Wrzesinski, they entered the world full of life, energy, and love for one another,” her family wrote.
She attended St. Anselm Elementary School and Bishop McDonnell High School in Brooklyn. She then attended secretarial school and went on to work for New York Life Insurance and Bethlehem Steel.
Mrs. Dunn is survived by her six children: Christopher S. Dunn of Louisville, Ky., Elizabeth I. White and Margaret E. Dunn of East Hampton, Bernadette C. Danieley of Somis, Calif., Joseph P. Dunn of Ventura, Calif., and Eileen A. Moran of Merrick. Thirteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and her twin sister, who lives in Brooklyn, also survive.
In addition to her husband of 47 years, two brothers, Robert Reilly and Joseph Reilly, and a granddaughter, Kendra Dunn, died before her. She was also predeceased by a brother-in-law, John J. Wrzesinski, whom her family called one of her “best pals.”
A Mass was said at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shoreham on Aug. 18, followed by burial at Calverton National Cemetery.
Her family has suggested that memorial contributions be made to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach 11978, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.