In Memory of Mary Gunn, Resident of Redding

REDDING, CT — Mary Gunn, resident of Redding formerly of Westport (1952 – 2009), New Haven and Milford, Connecticut passed away on August 18, 2016. She was the wife of Colin (Ben) Gunn and the daughter of Marion Doolittle and Frank Watson Hunter of Milford, Connecticut.

Throughout her life, Mary utilized her creative and artistic talents to explore life. She graduated from Laurelton Hall and Southern Connecticut Teacher's College. After teaching in the Milford Schools, she worked at the Peabody Museum at Yale with James Perry Wilson painting woodland backgrounds and mounting animals in naturalistic positions. Mary went on to assist in creating the Bermuda underwater habitat which was on display until recent renovations. As part of her research, she went to Bermuda with her oil paints to capture the colors of the water, coral, fish, and rocks as they appear underwater. This she did while wearing a hard helmet.

Mary and "Ben" moved to Westport in 1952. She designed and oversaw the building of their house on Jonathan Lane. Over the years she designed several new houses, additions and renovations of period homes in Connecticut, Florida and New Hampshire. Mary and Ben were active in Westport. Mary served on the PTA and taught Sunday School for many years at Saugatuck Congregational Church. She was on the board on the Nature Center (Earthplace now), active in many of their programs and created the small animal burrowing habitat display. She studied portrait painting a the the Y with Sam Brown and always had time to work with students, friends, the Girls Scouts or Indian Guides. In the 1960s she took up weaving. She went on to teach weaving at the University of Bridgeport until 1992.

Mary loved her husband Ben, her children Susan, John and David; her many friends, maps, travel, collecting, Compo Beach, Westport, their house in Orange NH, history, teaching, gardening, and all of their assorted pets. She was always ready for an adventure. Mary was predeceased by her husband Colin (Ben), her brother Frank W. and His wife Helen Hunter and son-in-law Michael D. Bromley.

She is survived by her daughter Susan Gunn Bromley; son John Hunter Gunn and daughter in law Anne Colantuoni, grandchildren Sophia and Ben; son David Oliver Gunn and Daughter-in-law Debra Lieberman, grandchildren Emily, Dawson and Lena; and nephew Frank W. Hunter III and his partner Son. In the last several years she was looked after by some talented and caring people including her friend and doctor David Beck, and aides Sonia, Patience, Christine and Ingrid. We are grateful for their kindness and the joy and happiness they brought her.

A memorial service was celebrated on September 9th at Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East, Westport. Memorial contributions may be made to: Earthplace, 10 Woodside Lane, Westport, CT 06880

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