Margaret Dunn, who many know accepted the challenge of addressing abandoned mine land restoration and worked for decades on the issue, last week lost both her husband and mother to illness just a day apart.

Her husband-- Maynard (Mike) Dunn, Jr.-- passed away Wednesday after a 5-month battle with pancreatic cancer and her mother passed away the night before after a 20-year struggle with Alzheimer’s.

Mike, like Margaret, was a geologist.  He was a Federal public servant for 45 years. He began his career as a geologist for the U.S. Bureau of Mines and was known for his efforts as a field geologist.

Mike spent the last 34 years as a GIS expert for the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

There he mastered three-dimensional computer modeling, building a professional rapport with hundreds of peers from Federal and state agencies as well as academia and non-profit organizations.

He most enjoyed sharing his sweeping knowledge with others both in the classroom and through daily contacts where he was sought for his expertise.

Support For Margaret

Send notes of support to Margaret at her home-- 338 Glen Eden Road, Rochester, PA 15074 or by email to: ilovemld6@gmail.com.

In Lieu Of Flowers

Timothy Danehy from BioMost, Inc., one of two nonprofits co-founded by Margaret to address mine reclamation issues, suggests donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Margaret H. Dunn Environmental Community Service Award at Saint Francis University in Cambria County.

The purpose of this fund is to provide an endowment to support the Margaret H. Dunn Environmental Community Service Award as well as the activities of Saint Francis University students that may become eligible for the award via their work to improve environmental quality in economically depressed communities.

Margaret is an inspiration to students and faculty, having been a pioneer in environmental restoration for nearly four decades. She co-founded Stream Restoration Incorporated and BioMost Inc., which grew to become key leaders in the field. Her dedication has improved the condition of innumerable impoverished communities throughout Appalachia and beyond.

Margaret has always strived to improve the world around her, and help others, especially young people, to do the same

The Margaret H. Dunn Environmental Community Service Award will be awarded annually to the one Saint Francis student that best exemplifies a spirit of environmental service linked with improving the human condition in impoverished communities.

Click Here to make a donation.

(Photos: Mike & Margaret Dunn.)

[Posted: November 10, 2019]

11/11/2019