Winifred Brennan Dunbar

4/18/2026 - 10/6/2026

Adored wife, loving mother, cherished educator, and gifted musician; Winnie could do it all. Born in Philadelphia, PA, she was the daughter of Winifred and Andrew Brennan. Winnie was the light of her parents' life. An entertainer from the start Winnie would delight her parents and guests with musical dance numbers performed in the living room. Skills which paid off in the 1963 Ms. Buck’s County Beauty pageant where she came in first runner up.

She was a talented vocalist, pianist, and accordion player - she was a member of The Philadelphia Accordion Orchestra. She earned her BA in Music Education from Susquehanna University and received her Masters from several universities including Princeton. She was a lifelong learner and usually had a set of encyclopedias within arms reach.

Winnie was a music teacher for 30 years at every grade level from pre-school to college. She brought the passion she lived into every classroom she entered. In her music classes she taught kids of all ages and backgrounds. Her multicultural lesson plans were ahead of their time, showcasing stories from around the world. She thrived at producing plays and Christmas concerts with her students, and directing party games with friends and family.

Her life with Francis X. Dunbar was a romance for the ages. They met through Frank’s sister Rosemary, and married in Philadelphia, PA in 1971. They welcomed three children - Francis, Winifred, and Victoria. Even when Frank’s work took him states and sometimes nations apart from Winnie and the kids, they could not remain so for long, as they were a deeply devoted and loving family.

Wherever the Dunbars lived, Winnie made friends. She was witty, outgoing, and passionate. She was a blast at parties. Winnie's love for life was obvious. She was an avid swimmer, and loved snorkeling and scuba. She was a reluctant, but well-traveled skier, a sailor, a tournament-winning tennis player, a skilled bridge player, and a crafting diva.

Frank’s sudden passing in 2004 was devastating to Winnie, and it was her faith in Christ and the promise of grandchildren that kept her going. She eventually became a grandmother to five, and her presence in their lives was a blessing.

Winnie is preceded in death by her parents, Winifred and Andrew and her husband Francis Sr.

She is survived in death by her children Francis (Anne) Dunbar, Winnie (Alex) Nelson, and Tori (Bill) Bryan, her five grandchildren Francis and Nora Dunbar, Brenna and Cassie Bryan and John Nelson.

“A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.”

"Credo of the Clown" - The Mary Tyler Moore Show, 1975

Memorial contributions may be made to the Save the Music Foundation by visiting www.savethemusic.org