Marilyn Ruth Dunlap

Marilyn Ruth Clark Dunlap, 91, of Hamilton, NY passed peacefully on the morning of November 15, 2021 at Crouse Community Center in Morrisville, New York. Marilyn was born August 31, 1930 in Buffalo, New York to William T. and Violet Barnum Clark. Marilyn graduated from St. Lawrence University with a degree in English in 1952 and later received a Master’s degree in English from Lehigh University in 1974.
Marilyn, known also as “Daisy” or “Poco,” was married to her soulmate, Frederick H. Dunlap, for 69 years. She was his “Wingman.” Marilyn and Fred met through her brother “Moose,” a classmate of Fred’s at Colgate University, who brought him home to meet his sister. Marilyn and Fred were camp counselors together at the New York State Masonic Home camp in Woodgate, New York during the summers and were married at the Chapel on the property of the Masonic Home in Utica where her physician father was the superintendent at the center for orphans. As they moved throughout the country with the military and then as a coach’s wife, she held various career roles, including secretary, English teacher, and editor. But her most joyful role was probably being “Mrs. D,” where she was able to mentor and help young football players being coached by her husband. That included some fun stunts, like dressing up as “Spot” the Leopard for the Lafayette game played Halloween weekend. Interestingly their longest “stint” coaching ended up being at Colgate University, the same place that brought them together in 1948. In their later years, after his retirement from Colgate, they traveled around the world with Hamilton, NY as their home base. Marilyn was the ultimate trip guide and tour planner, taking her husband to all seven continents and visiting 69 different countries. Marilyn was also an excellent golfer, winning many local championships. She enjoyed her grandchildren and loved to follow them in their pursuits, going to golf, swimming and volleyball events. She also designed and helped build two houses including a bomb shelter in a third. Marilyn taught her children perseverance, dedication, and hard work by example. Marilyn was a member of First Baptist Church of Hamilton, New York.
Marilyn is survived by her loving spouse Frederick Homer Dunlap and her two adoring children, Jessica Violet Dunlap Yazujian (spouse Dikran Yazujian), and Frederick Clark Dunlap (spouse Andrea Dunlap); her three grandchildren, Chelsea Jane Dunlap, Tyler Frederick Dunlap, and Kathryn Jordan Dunlap Ekey (spouse Jonathan T. Ekey); and her sister Diane Clark Duck of San Antonio, Texas. She was preceded in death by her brother William A. “Moose” Clark in 2017.
Visitation will be held at Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 25 Broad St., Hamilton, New York from 5-7 pm on Friday November 19, 2021. There will also be a second visitation at the First Baptist Church of Hamilton, New York on Saturday November 20, 2021 from 9-10 am prior to the Church Services at 10 am. An early luncheon reception will be held directly following the service at the Church. Note: the church requests that all attendees wear a mask while inside the buildng.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Masonic Care Community, 2150 Bleecker St., Utica, New York 13501.
To send a condolence and sign the Book of Memories online go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com