Susan Dunbar

Susan Louise Dunbar was given the gift of life on July 13th 1961, and sadly had to give it back much too soon at the age of 60 after an (almost) 4 year battle with breast cancer. She came in to this world in Bar Harbor, ME to Edwin Fulton Dunbar and Carolyne Christine (Dillon) Dunbar.

Right off the bat she inherited the “stubborn” gene from her mother, always doing exactly what she wanted and never listened to anyone. This trait carried with her through life and sadly is why we are here today - get your mammograms ladies it can save your life! This trait was also her strength. Her friends and family looked at her as a leader, she always seemed to have the answers to everything. Whether we called on her for relationship advice, asked her to go shopping with us which was her favorite hobby, requesting her touch at home decorating, or something much deeper like spiritual advice. She believed we are each on the path we were meant for. Coming across people along the way that were meant as a life’s lesson, and keeping the ones close that were a true soul connection that have been carried on for lifetimes.

Susan was blessed with a female tribe that surrounded her up until her very last breath. Selena, Amy, Judy, Becky, Lori, Vanessa and Darla will forever be finding feathers left behind as a sign she is near. She also had a deep connection with her partner Shawn. With a 30 year history, they understood each other better than anyone. While they drifted apart at times, they always found their way back to each other and he was the one holding her in the end. Susan loved to soak up the sun and could often be found on floats on Echo Lake with her children, then later her grandchildren, basking on the beach or by a pool during her many travels with Shawn, or naked on her deck with a kiddie pool! She was a vibrant, wise and graceful woman whose presence will be missed by many. She had a special relationship with each of her grandchildren, she was their secret keeper, their safe place, buyer of all the soft and cozy things. A BeBe like no other….

Susan is survived by her partner Shawn Stanley; mother, Carolyne Dunbar; daughter, Nicolette and husband Jesse Wallace; son, Thomas McIntire and partner Darla Parady; her favorite grandchildren Dillon Woodside, Hannah Woodside and Avery Wallace (who wants all her angora socks!); sisters, Wanda McLaughlin and husband Bobby, Doreen Graves and husband Alan; brother, Mark Dunbar and wife Selena; five special nieces and nephew; lots of favorite cousins including her closest Paula Dunbar who was always there to pick her up when things weren’t going quite right; many loving aunts and uncles as well as friends. She was predeceased by her father Edwin Dunbar, and the father of her children and first husband, Gordon McIntire.

A private graveside service will be held at Mount Height Cemetery in Southwest Harbor on Sunday August 8th at 11:00 followed by an open celebration of life at the Algerine Coast where all are welcome. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.