Obituary of Marian P. Dunbar

Marian P. Dunbar, 90, formerly of North Plainfield, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2015 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville. The daughter of John and Elizabeth DuBets, Marian was born and raised in Stirling, N.J., and was a graduate of Morristown High School. In 1942, she married Robert K. Dunbar; the couple had three daughters and resided in North Plainfield, Stirling and Middlesex before returning to North Plainfield in 1965. Marian was formerly employed at Helen Elliott Candies in North Plainfield, United Ring & Seal in Stirling and J.W. Signal in Green Brook. She served as an executive secretary at Raritan Valley Hospital/UMDNJ in Green Brook and remained at the facility when it transitioned to Green Brook Regional Center; she retired in 1987. Marian was a 50-year member of St. Luke's R.C. Church in North Plainfield, where she formerly served as a Eucharistic Minister and belonged to the Rosary Society and Leisure Club. She was also a former member of the North Plainfield Senior Citizens. An avid reader, Marian enjoyed word games, bingo and travel. She went on several tours of Europe and during a visit to Rome attended an audience with Pope John Paul II. Over the years, Marian volunteered with the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. and the Somerset County 4-H. Marian moved into assisted living due to health issues in 2011. She had been a resident of Foothill Acres Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Hillsborough since 2012, where she was always happy to have visitors and would greet family and friends with a smile. Marian was predeceased by her husband, Robert Dunbar, in 1988; her daughter, Robin Kay Dunbar in 1959; and her daughter, Cynthia Ann McCarter, in 2011. She is survived by her daughter, Holly Jean Dunbar, of North Plainfield; her grandson, Todd McCarter, his wife, Keri, and their children, Paige, Bella, Connor and Cameron, of Manahawkin, N.J.; and her granddaughter, Melissa Anthony, and her husband, Nicholas, of New York City; a former son-in-law, Joseph McCarter, of Manahawkin; along with four generations of nieces and nephews. Arrangements are by Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung, N.J. 07069. Visitation is on Wednesday, July 1, 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 2 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church, 300 Clinton Avenue, North Plainfield, followed by interment at St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery in Stirling. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marian's memory to the Plainfield Area Humane Society, 75 Rock Avenue, Plainfield, N.J. 07063; or to St. Luke's R.C. Church, 300 Clinton Avenue, North Plainfield, N.J. 07063-1613, to help fund renovations and a new roof for the church.