By Margie Schernecke
Jack and Margaret Dunn were a wonderful couple from Southwark who had long family histories in the community. Jack grew up in the 700 block of South Front Street with his 6 brothers and 2 sisters. As you can imagine, everyone in the neighborhood knew the Dunn family with nine children. Jack was a dedicated Mummer who loved to meet his pals in the Purul Comic Club on New Year’s Day and march up Broad Street in his wench costume.
Margaret, nee Prendergast, was born on Hancock Street. Her family then moved to the 200 block of Catharine, where they lived in one of the most historic homes in the area.
Jack enlisted in the Army right before Pearl Harbor and was sent to training camp outside Portland, Maine. He was then shipped overseas where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes, Belgium. This historic battle lasted three grueling weeks and resulted in massive loss of American life. Margaret also served during the war at the Philadelphia Naval Base as an accountant. After the war she continued her accounting work with The International Longshoreman’s Association ILA Local 1291.
Following their service to our country, the Dunn’s married and lived on the unit block of Fitzwater, known as “little Fitz,” where they raised their twin sons before their home was demolished for I-95. Now they remain in the community forever with many of their friends and neighbors in the Gloria Dei Churchyard.
Conservation Assessment
Type of Marker: Headstone on base
Material: Granite
Evaluation
Historic Integrity: Intact
Structural Integrity: Excellent
Material Integrity: Excellent
Legible Inscription: Excellent
Marker Details
Inventory Number: 499
Plot Number: 848
Cemetery Section: 10
Orientation: East
Marker Height/Length (in): 24
Marker Width (in): 20
Marker Thickness/Depth (in): 8