Irene Marguerite Jones Dunbar, formerly of Ossipee and Kingston, NH, passed from this world into her heavenly home on August 10, 2026 at the age of 96 ½, with her beloved family by her side. Irene was happily surrounded by her children and dear friends in the days and weeks leading up to her passing. Irene, daughter Betty and son David had purchased a home in Albuquerque, NM in 2023, where Irene lived for the last 3 years. 

Irene was born in Wolfeboro, NH, on Oct. 2, 1929, to Samuel Jones and Irene Peters Jones. She received her early education in Rochester, NH, and attended Keene Teachers College to earn a Home Economics degree in 1951. Irene went on to have a satisfying, meaningful career teaching Home Economics at Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston NH for many years. Teaching, encouraging, and supporting young people was a joy and an avocation for Irene throughout her long life. 

Irene spent 49 years married to her beloved husband Richard B. Dunbar, who pre-deceased her in 2000. Irene was also pre-deceased by her son-in-law Gary Gaudet of Exeter in 1995; by her brother James Jones of Concord in 2016; and by her sister Rose Marie Rogers of Rochester in 2024. Irene dearly loved her family and friends and enjoyed people of all ages and from all walks of life. She loved to travel to Prince Edward Island every summer to visit with her extended family, staying for weeks at her camper and property in Summerside. Irene enjoyed many summer trips with her granddaughter Tess. Upon retirement Irene and Dick moved from Kingston to Duncan Lake in Ossipee, where they spent many enjoyable days watching the loons and other birds from their lakeside deck. 

Irene leaves behind daughter Betty Dunbar Gaudet and son David Dunbar of Albuquerque NM, who provided selfless care for Irene during her later years of life; son Charles / Chucky Dunbar (Shawna) of Fremont, NH; son Peter Dunbar (Anna) of Palmdale, CA; granddaughter Tess Amy Gaudet (Marc) of Albuquerque, NM; adopted son Charlie Furman of Roseville, Illinois; goddaughter Kathy Johnson (Gerard) of Montpelier, VT; several nieces and nephews; and Canadian relatives in Prince Edward Island. Irene will be greatly missed and remembered always for the love and joy she brought to all of us who knew her. 

Anyone wishing to donate in Irene’s memory may do so to the Ossipee Community Center Meals on Wheels Program at 3 Dore Street, Center Ossipee, NH 03814.

 A celebration of life service for Irene Dunbar will be held on October 6th at 2:00PM at 1509 Pinnacle View Dr. NE Albuquerque NM. (The home of Jan and Dave Robbins) (A New Hampshire memorial service will be held at a future date to be determined, for internment.) 

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”