Obituary of Marion Josephine Dunphy, B.A., BEd.

It is with heavy hearts that the passing of Marion Josephine (Johnston) Dunphy, loving wife of Peter Hughes Dunphy, on Friday, May 26, 2017, is announced. Her death occurred at the Palliative Care Unit of the Saint John Regional Hospital, following a recent diagnosis of an untreatable cancer. In addition to her husband, Marion is survived by her uncle, Robert A. Quinlan and brother-in-law, Michael T. Dunphy, as well as numerous first and second cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, Frederic Ralph Johnston and Mary Helena (Quinlan) Johnston, as well as several aunts and uncles. Marion was born in Saint John on February 12, 1944, and grew up in Martinon. She graduated from St. Vincents Girls High School, Teachers College and earned three degrees from the University of New Brunswick (Fredericton). She also met her future husband, Peter, at UNB. Marion was a scholar, a teacher, a genealogist, and a local historian. She began her teaching career at Seawood School in West Saint John, and continued it at Westfield Elementary and Bayside Junior High School. Following an early retirement, she focused her energies on her interests in genealogy and local history. Major research projects included a photo study of all existing one-room school house in New Brunswick, her own family trees, as well as studies of several families connected with the Saint John-Liverpool trade in the age of sail. Several examples of her works have been accepted by the Public Archives of Canada, the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Museum and the Saint John Regional Library. In recent years her research interests turned to the study of the symbolism of the ancient religions and their influence on contemporary monotheistic religions. Marion’s life and work influenced many people, to quote a long-time friend: "Marion not only made people better, she made better people". At Marion’s request there will be no viewing or visitation. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, 279 Nerepis Rd., Grand Bay-Westfield, NB, on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 12:00 PM. Interment will take place at St. Augustine’s Cemetery. Donations in Marion’s memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.