Sister Joan Dunn, Op

Obituary Sister Joan Dunn, OP (Sister Mary Albert)   Sister Joan Dunn, OP, 88, (Sister Mary Albert), a Dominican Sister of Tacoma died peacefully February 5, 2016 at St. Joseph Residence in Seattle. Sister Joan died peacefully about 3:30 PM with her Dominican Sisters surrounding her. Sister Joan, a Tacoma native was born at Fort Lewis to Robert and Hannah (Buckley) Dunn. She entered the world on March 16, 1928 and went home to God one month shy of her 89th birthday. In 1945, Sister Joan graduated from Aquinas Academy in Tacoma and entered with the Dominican Sisters of Tacoma on July 1, 1945. Following her profession on January 8, 1947 she embarked on an illustrious teaching ministry in many of the schools staffed by the Dominican Sisters including Mount Virgin, Seattle; St. Vincent's, San Diego; Our Lady of the Lake, Seattle; St. Francis, Bakersfield, CA; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bakersfield, CA; Garces Memorial High School, Bakersfield, CA; Holy Rosary High School, Seattle; Bishop Blanchet High School, Seattle; and Marymount, Tacoma. Following her many years of teaching, Sister Joan changed ministries and for a number of years worked as a Kelly Girl and provided secretarial services as needed. During this time she became interested in medical research and for many years worked as a medical librarian for the Pulmonary and Critical Care Department at the University of Washington. Sister Joan was a faithful member of the Dominican Community and enjoyed staying in contact with the sisters through letters, birthday cards, and cartoons, especially Peanuts. She participated in our local community groups and was faithful about calling and writing her senators and representatives about issues important to her and our community. Two of Sister Joan's favorite activities were visiting Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and eating ice cream! Although her visits to the zoo ceased when she went to St. Joseph's Residence, she continued to eat ice cream! She was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Rita Archer, Margaret Dunn, and Mary Strehlau; and brother, Robert Dunn. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be at St. Joseph Residence (4800 37th Ave. SW, Seattle). The Vigil will be at St. Joseph Residence on Monday, February 15, 2016 at 7:00 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Tacoma, on February 16, 2016 at 3:00 PM. Online condolences and more information on her life can be found at www.gaffneycares.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund at 935 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402.