Ellen M Dunn (Helen) passed away peacefully on Monday, September 22, 2025, with her loving family at her side. She was a devoted wife, mother of six, sister, aunt, in-law, grandmother of sixteen, and great-grandmother (GG) of seven.
Affectionately known as Helen, she was born September 2, 1933, in NYC. Helen was the daughter of Philip and Ellen Hawe, and sister to her dear Catherine. She led an adventurous and faithful life growing up in the City. Helen was a competitive student, avid reader and impressive athlete favoring Irish dance and basketball, but never refusing a fierce game of handball.
Helen is a proud graduate of Saint Catharine Academy and later graduated from Grace Institute Business School. Helen loved fashion and was thrilled to work one of her first jobs at Saks 5th Avenue and later as a secretary for Grace & Company. Yet, it was motherhood that was her most cherished and important job.
In 1954, Helen married her high school sweetheart, Gene Dunn. Together they traveled the country with their growing family and lived in different states as Gene’s career flourished at AT&T. Always longing to be back East and share life experiences with their family, Helen and Gene began a tradition of spending incredible summers in Bay Head with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandparents, and in-laws. During these years, lifetime memories were made and unbreakable family bonds formed in a home filled with laughter and overflowing love.
These family traditions continued in Ponte Vedra Beach where Helen and Gene spent their retirement years at their home in the Plantation. She and Gene made great friends and enjoyed playing golf — Helen even got a hole in one, tennis, and relaxing at the beach. Like summers in Bay Head, Thanksgiving family celebrations were cherished in Ponte Vedra Beach. Helen felt truly blessed to have journeyed through life alongside generations of family and to have shared in so many special moments together.
Helen had a great sense of humor, style, and a smile that would light up any room. She will be remembered for her unwavering devotion to family and her unconditional love. She is survived by her six loving children: Gene Dunn (Irma), Philip Dunn (Carla), Brian Dunn (Cheri), Kelley O’Connor, Marcey Schaefer (Billy), and Danny Dunn (Katie); sister and brother-in-law, Catherine and Mickey Breslin; sixteen grandchildren, Philip (Shirley), Maggie (Talmadge), Ellen (Chad), Grace (Rob), Mickey, Sean, Colin, Jack, Dillon, Elizabeth, Billy, Kiera, Patrick, Anna, Brogan, & Tommy; seven great grandchildren, Lilou, Elodie, Luke, Miles, Kennedy, Reese & Mirren; six nieces & nephews, Michael Breslin (Colleen), Christopher Breslin (Fiona), Aileen Power (Kevin), Tara Bettendorf (Bob), Walter Owens (Gina) & Liza Wigg (Michael). She is preceded in death by her husband, Gene Dunn; her parents, Philip and Ellen Hawe; and Uncle Wally and Aunt Eileen Owens.
A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, October 17 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made in Helen’s name to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Please sign the online guestbook at www.pontevedravalley.com.
