Marilyn Johnson Dunn Martin (1929-2025)
Marilyn (Johnson) Dunn Martin, 96, of Essex Jct., VT, passed away at the McClure Miller Respite House on 11/26/25, following a brief illness.
She was born in South Portland, ME and was a 1952 graduate of the University of Maine at Orono. Marilyn married Charles H. Dunn in 1951 and after graduation moved to Brownfield, ME where her husband worked in the family farm and lumber business. Marilyn taught elementary school and had a dressmaking and alteration business, as well as became the mother of 5 children.
In 1963 her family moved to South Burlington, VT. Marilyn taught at Central School and in the spring of 1965 became the first Principal of Gertrude E. Chamberlin Elementary School where she remained until she retired in 1987. Marilyn also taught in the evening division of the South Burlington Recreation Department. Marilyn was active with many groups including the State Principals’ Association, New England Board of Curriculum Development, Delta Kappa Gamma, South Burlington Principal Group and the Vermont State Administrators’ Association. After retirement she and her husband ran an upholstery and furniture refinishing business Dunn-Over and a bed and breakfast Dunn-Inn.
Marilyn is remembered by countless colleagues for her desire to better curriculum and teaching practices to allow children to broaden and develop their knowledge.
A family graveside service will be held in the spring in Williston, VT. Donations in her name may be made to Home Health and Hospice, Attn: Development Office, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446.