CHELMSFORD- Mary Jane (Downing) Dunn, 79, of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully with her children and family at her side on Wednesday September 27, 2017 at Fairhaven Healthcare Center in Lowell. She was predeceased in 1994 by her loving husband and high school sweetheart, Kenneth W. Dunn, Sr.

Born in Lowell on June 10, 1938, she was the daughter of the late John W. Downing, Sr. and Elizabeth R. (Armstrong) Downing.

In 1956, Mary Jane graduated from Lowell High School where she served as a girl officer earning the rank of 3rd Major. She then became a registered nurse having received her nursing degree in 1959 from the Catherine Labouré School of Nursing.

Mary Jane was devoted to her family and treasured the time she spent with her children and grandchildren. She could often be found with her nose in a book or a pen in her hand working on a crossword puzzle. She was truly kind hearted in ways big and small and will be lovingly remembered as always holding open a door for anyone who needed it. Music filled her home and created a space of comfort and warmth. She was a former Eucharistic minister at St. Mary Church in Chelmsford and
attended Emmanuel College for pastoral counseling.

The family wishes to offer their sincere appreciation to the caretakers at Fairhaven Healthcare Center and Seasons Hospice for their compassion over the years.

Mary Jane is survived by her children and their spouses, Mary-Elizabeth Callahan and John F. Callahan, Jr. of Chelmsford, Maureen Dunn of Tyngsboro, Kenneth W. "Jay" Dunn, Jr. of Chelmsford, Rayeanne and Robert Cole Gentry of Chelmsford; her grandchildren, John F. Callahan, III and his wife Michelle, Meghan E. Callahan, Robert W. Callahan, Ryan P. Callahan, Corey W. Dunn, Michaela C. Gentry, and Tyler C. Gentry. She is also survived by one great grandson, David J. Callahan; her former daughter-in law Beth Dunn of Chelmsford; and many dear family members. She was predeceased by her daughter Cheri Angela and by her brother John W. Downing, Jr.

Visitation will be held on Monday evening from 3 until 7 PM in the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen Street, Chelmsford. Family and friends may gather at the Funeral Home on Tuesday morning at 9 am. A Funeral Service will begin at 9:15 am in the Funeral Home. Interment will then follow at St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Road, TEWKSBURY.

For those who wish, donations in loving memory of Mary Jane can be made to: Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01803 (www.seasons.org).