Lisa Jane Dunbar-Link
February 14, 1961 ~ September 30, 2023
Lisa Jane Dunbar-Link, 62, of Peabody, Massachusetts died peacefully Saturday, September 30, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.
Born February 14, 1961, in Barnstable, Massachusetts, Lisa grew up in Harwich, MA on Cape Cod with her large extended family. She was the only daughter of John and Carole Dunbar. Growing up in the same town as her aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins, family was a central theme and played a dominant role in her upbringing. Family camping trips, large holiday celebrations, backyard BBQs, tea chats around the table, snow and sick days with her aunts, church events, and sleepovers with the cousins were treasured memories that grounded Lisa’s core values.
Lisa attended the Harwich public schools and continued her education at Cape Cod Community College earning first an associate in business and then a bachelor’s degree in business education at Salem State College. She began her professional career at Axcelis Corporation but found her true passion in early childhood education, first at the YMCA of the North Shore as the Early Childhood Director in Beverly, and finally at Pathways for Children in Gloucester as Education Supervisor. Pathways “nurtures children and supports families impacted by economic and social inequity through programs that educate, enrich, empower and motivate.” Raising disadvantaged children up through love, education, and connection gave Lisa purpose. Her work ethic to get up, get moving and make a difference every day despite her own struggles was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was strong and courageous in facing obstacles in her own life.
People were central to Lisa’s life. Everything she did was out of kindness, love, and concern for others. She cultivated relationships like no other and will be remembered for her compassion, especially those in need. Family, friends, coworkers, church family, and neighbors were Lisa’s nucleus and the hub from which she drew meaning, joy, and fulfillment. Lisa relished in chatting, especially over a cup of tea, being active in her church communities, first in East Harwich and then at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, sewing, singing, reading mystery novels, and traveling. Lisa found her soul mate and life partner in 1992. Sharon and Lisa created a full life together and were married in 1994. She loved her role as Aunt and doted on her many nieces and nephews. In 2004, they welcomed their daughter, Ivalee Carole Dunbar-Link. Life was full of weekends at Lake St Catherine with family in Wells, Vermont; singing in the church choir; attending Ivee’s dance recitals; visiting with family; watching musical performances in the area; and inspiring DIY redecorating projects in their home in Peabody. Lisa lived her life with independence, passion, and purpose. Life was not always, or usually, easy but Lisa made it better with her smile, laughter, and stubborn determination. She lived in presence with gratitude. We could all take a lesson, or two, from her playbook.
Lisa is survived by her wife of 29 years, Sharon Dunbar-Link, and daughter, Ivalee Dunbar-Link, of Peabody, MA, brother Keith Dunbar and his wife Libby (Ramsdell) of Essex, Vermont, sister-in-law, Carol (Link) Higgins and her husband Herman of Laurel, MD, and sister-in-law, Frances (Link) Keeler and her husband George of Raleigh, NC. She will be missed by her loving and large family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Lisa is predeceased by her brother, John W. Dunbar Jr., her parents John, and Carole (Peters) Dunbar, grandparents John W. and Sarah (Patterson) Dunbar and Norman and Gertrude (Chase) Peters.
Lisa will live on in the hearts and memories of the many whose lives she touched. She really did not dwell on the negative, instead she focused on making the most of the present and moving forward. Her family would like Lisa’s light to continue to have impact on the children served by Pathways for Children. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Pathways for Children, 29 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930.
Please join the family for a memorial service on Saturday, October 14 at 11am at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 16 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA. CR Lyons and Sons Funeral Directors are handling the arrangements. Please visit lyonsfuneral.com for full obituary and to share your memories and condolences.
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Our lives connected with Lisa and Sharon a long time ago. We have played together, worked together in our church, and always knew that we understood each other. Despite our total heartache, we do believe that your soul flies unfettered with the Spirit, and that you see the face of God.. With love forever, Barb and Barb