Obituary of Mary Faith Dunnington

Mary Faith (Holbert) Conrad Dunnington passed peacefully to Our Lord’s Arms on Sunday, September 2, 2018, in Washington, PA at the age of 84.

Mary Faith was born on January 17, 1934, to the late Carl Clinton and Mabel Virginia “Ginny” Lipscomb Holbert. She graduated from Glenville State College in 1955 with a degree in Music Education.  Mary Faith was an accomplished musician and educator and became an advocate for music and arts in public schools through a career spanning more than 40 years.  She fought for funding to continue these programs, often battling the school board and administration for budget funds allocated for sports.  She stressed the importance of musically and artistically challenging student’s minds, as well as student’s athletic abilities.   Later in life, she enjoyed more than a decade of life with Robert J. “Bob” Dunnington, singing together for relaxation, at church and weddings and enjoying evenings at the Fairmont Elks Club. She had a great sense of humor and was known to play pranks on fellow teachers at Miller Junior High School during her tenure there.  She was passionate about bringing music to Fairmont and taking students to the music, via opera trips to Pittsburgh PA and other locations. Mary Faith was an active member of the Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Morgantown WV.

Mary Faith is survived by her brother, David Holbert (Linda) of Florida; children, Beth Conrad Papandreas (George) of Morgantown, WV, Cheryl Conrad Abel (Harold) of Venetia, PA, Kyra Conrad Pulliam (Andre) of Stephens City, VA, Dorinda Dunnington Talerico (David) of Fairmont, WV , Kim Dunnington Thompson (Harrison) of West Milton, PA, Bobbi Dunnington of Fairmont,  WV (partner Jim Paul Wilmoth), and Robert Joseph (Joe) Dunnington, Jr., (Lori) of Lake Havasu City, AZ; grandchildren Brad Abel (Crystal), Christopher Cale, Kayla Pulliam and Krystin Pulliam, Brooks Thompson (fiancé Rachael Hower), MaryKate Thompson, Melvin Delaney (Jessica), Jessica Delaney (partner Alexander Tygrett), Bryan Talerico (partner Samantha Stevens), Matthew Talerico and Lauren Talerico; great-grandchildren Christopher Abel, Sara Lizardi, Emma Cale, Noah Nichols, Caleb, Austin, Zachary and Joseph Delaney, Emmalee and Ezekial Delaney, Isabella Talerico, Kaiden and Keilie Haddix.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. “Bob” Dunnington, brother, Carl Holbert, of Seattle WA, and granddaughter, Meighan Abel Cale, of Washington, PA.

Friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown on Thursday, September 6 from 4-8 p.m. The Fairmont Elks Lodge will hold a service at 7 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home.  Visitation will continue on Friday, September 7 from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jonathan Hutchison, of Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church officiating. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mary Faith's life.

 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Concordia Hospice, 10 Leet Street, Washington PA 15301 or Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Morgantown WV 26505.

 

The family would like to thank WVU Primary Care Physicians of Morgantown and Concordia Hospice of Pennsylvania, for their care and dedication to a peaceful transition from this life.

 

 

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