Obituary of Margaret Dunnett

R. Margaret “Marge” Dunnett, passed away peacefully after a long struggle with Alzheimer's at the age of 95 on Friday night, November 4, 2016. Margaret was born in Troy, New York, the daughter of Armenian immigrants, the late Mary and Kaloust Shamalian. She grew up in Troy, New York until the age of 15 and then her family moved to Brighton, Massachusetts where she graduated from Brighton High School. After high school, Marge aspired to be in the theater and attended a drama school located in Boston. This experience created a passion for she and her husband, Arthur “Sonny. ” Their attendance at a pre-Broadway show in Boston and a Broadway show in NYC became routine in their life together. They shared this passion with their daughters throughout their lives. Marge was a “working girl and fashionista!” She started as a retail buyer at the Harvard Bazaar in Cambridge until the age of 26 when she became a full-time mother. She returned to the workforce after the passing of her beloved husband “Sonny” in 1974 at the age of 53. She took a position as an administrative assistant/ payroll clerk with General Cinema, now known as AMC Theaters. She spent over 25 years working for the cinema and retired at the age of 80. Even at 80 years old, Marge could not sit at home for long… she continued to work in retail and was stylish until her mid 80’s. Marge embraced life and celebrated each day, with a spirit that was contagious for family, friends, coworkers, and her caregivers. She shared her warmth and generous spirit with everyone that she met. Margaret, Karen and Susan were blessed to have a mother and role model, whose strong character, faithfulness, laughter, and charisma made their home in Belmont and summer home in Scituate a warm and loving environment. The highlight of visiting them was experiencing Marge’s superior culinary and baking skills. Just as the theater lights dim for their stars, Marge’s memory leaves a sparkle in everyone’s heart much like an unforgettable performance. Marge was the beloved wife of the late Arthur Francis “Sonny” Dunnett. She was the loving mother of Margaret D. Giacoppo & her husband Michael of Burlington, Karen Dunnett & her husband Rick Murphy of the South End, Susan D. Garvey & her husband J. Michael of West Newbury. She was predeceased by her siblings; Suzanne “Sue” Kasabian, Elizabeth “Betty” Lowe, and Frank Shamalian. She was the proud grandmother of Matthew “Matty” Giacoppo. She was also survived by several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday evening, Nov. 8 from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday from Noon to 1 p.m. at the Chapel of Mt. Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. at the Mt. Auburn Chapel followed by the interment in Mt. Auburn Cemetery. Memorial donations in Marge’s name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472 www.alz.org/manh. For directions obituary & online guestbook see www.mountauburn.org or www.sullivanfuneralhome.net