Jean Sawyer Dunn

Gray – Jean Sawyer Dunn, 83, of Gray, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 with Lloyd, her loving husband of 64 years holding her. She was born in Portland, ME on March 28, 1938, the daughter of Evelyn Pierce Sawyer and Kenneth Horatio Sawyer. 

     Jean grew up in Gray, graduated from Pennell Institute in 1956 and was a lifelong resident of Gray. She and Lloyd grew up four houses apart and met while sliding down a small, neighborhood “hill” having some winter fun with friends. This was at the ages of four (Jean) and five (Lloyd) and the rest is history. They knew all through High School that their futures would be spent together and got married on July 27th, 1957. Together they raised two sons, David, and Dwayne. Jean truly devoted herself to her family and friends, always putting everyone else first.

     Jean worked for many years at Cole Farms Restaurant where she developed and maintained many cherished friendships that lasted her whole life. After her time at Cole Farms, she was blessed with three wonderful grandchildren that she gladly dedicated a great deal of her time to. She loved teaching and caring for them. This became the biggest joy in her life! 

      During Jean and Lloyd’s 64 years together they enjoyed traveling, especially their annual trips to visit the Amish country in Pennsylvania. Jean loved spending time working in her flower gardens. She took great pride in keeping the exterior of the home looking colorful, fresh, and well maintained. The same can be said for her home interior flower and plant skills. Jean enjoyed playing cards with friends & family and the stories that were told around the table. She looked forward to the challenge of a new puzzle every Christmas, Birthday or Mother’s Day and many of them are framed and hanging in her home. She loved watching the neighborhood kids playing outside, riding bikes and swimming in the pool that she and Lloyd had installed when their sons were young. Jean was a big fan of Elvis Presley and was supposed to see him live at the Cumberland County Civic Center, but he died the day before the concert.  The family decided to give her the live Elvis show she missed so they hired an Elvis impersonator for her and Lloyd’s 60th Wedding Anniversary Party and it was a big hit! They had the most wonderful slow dance to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” which brought many people to tears. Judge Judy became a TV watch favorite of Jean the last few years and everyone knew not come while this was on because you would not get much attention from her. Jean was a kind, caring, devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. These were her greatest focuses of love and enjoyment, especially her husband Lloyd.  

     Jean was predeceased by her parents, Evelyn Pierce Sawyer, and Kenneth Horatio Sawyer.

     Jean is survived and deeply missed by her husband, Lloyd Dunn; son David Dunn and his wife Tarnya; son Dwayne Dunn and his wife Heidi; grandchildren, Carla Wardwell and her husband Jimmy, Travis Dunn, Tyler Dunn (Katie), Jacob Trickey (Ashley) and Lauren Trickey (Brandon ); great grandchildren, Pheobe Wardwell, Nora Dunn and Wyatt Trickey; brother Robert Sawyer and his wife Marilyn; many nieces and nephews. 

     The family would like to send a heartfelt Thank You to nephew Bruce Sawyer and his wife Brenda for all their love and support at the end of Jean’s journey. Also, a big Thank You to Jay and the entire staff at Hospice of Southern Maine, who made it possible for Jean to be at home with Lloyd and to keep her comfortable right to the very end. This was Jean and Lloyd’s wish, and it was a blessing for the entire family that it came true because they all enjoyed a great deal of quality time with her that would not have been possible if she were not at home.

    Please remember Jean by planting something beautiful and celebrating its growth. 

    Visitation will be Thursday May 27 from 5 to 8 pm at Wilson Funeral Home, 24 Shaker Road, Gray. A Funeral will be held 10am. Friday May 28 at Wilson Funeral Home. Committal will follow at the Family lot in Gray Cemetery. 

       In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jean’s memory to the Good Shepard Food Bank or Gray Fire & Rescue. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jean Sawyer Dunn, please visit our floral store.