ONEONTA - Marguerite (Quita) D. Dunn, 87, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at the Oneonta Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, with family at her side, after a lengthy illness.

She was born in Oneonta in July of 1923, a daughter of the Rev. Lucien Curtis Denney and Helen (Stetson) Denney, while her father was Rector at St. James Episcopal Church.

Quita grew up in Herkimer and Morris, graduating from Morris Central School in 1941. Shortly thereafter she began a career in banking at Wilber National Bank in Morris.

In the summer of 1941 she met the love of her life, John K. Dunn, also a native Oneontan. They were united in marriage by her father in November 1943, at Zion Episcopal Church in Morris. After a brief honeymoon, her husband left for Army training, and three years of service in Europe during World War II.

At the end of the war, Quita and John moved to Syracuse where she worked as an executive secretary in the Loan Department of Citizens Bank while her husband completed his law degree at Syracuse University.

The couple returned to Oneonta in the mid 1950's when her husband accepted a position with the Law Firm of Plowden-Wardlaw, Leamy and VanWoert. She worked at National Commercial Bank until the birth of their daughter in 1956.

Quita was a life member of St. James Episcopal Church, Oneonta, serving for many years on the Vestry and Altar Guild. She also served on the Citizens Board of Hartwick College and the Riverside Cemetery Association Board of Directors. She was a volunteer with the Coral Bells at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital and delivered Meals on Wheels until her health declined.

Quita enjoyed spending summers on Otsego Lake during the years the family maintained camps there. Over the years she was an avid traveler visiting much of the United States and Canada, the Caribbean, South America, Europe and the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, which were exceptionally memorable to her.

Quita was privileged to have made many wonderful and lasting friendships over the years. Her life was greatly enhanced by all who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Jerome Routek of Oneonta; a brother, the Rev. Canon Curtis Denney and his wife, Mary; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a great-great-nephew; the family's beloved feline companions and her special friend and supporter, Laura Sanders.

She was predeceased by her husband; their infant son, David; and a sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Leslie Hemens.

The family extends special thanks to the nurses and staff at the Oneonta Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for their care and compassion during her illness.

There will be no calling hours.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main St., Oneonta, with the Rev. Kenneth Hunter, as celebrant.

Interment will be at the Riverside Cemetery, Oneonta in the spring at which time an informal celebration of life is planned.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of ones choice.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com.

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.