Lucy Dunn Guion Martin, a life-long volunteer from Seven Lakes, NC, died on July 15, 2024 at the age of 94. The eldest child and only daughter of Elwood Walker Guion and Sue Scott Guion, she was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. Lucy Dunn attended Central High School and graduated from Queens College in 1951 where she earned an AB degree in sociology. Very active in the student government at Queens, she was also a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Alpha Kappa Gamma, and “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.”
After college, Lucy Dunn went to work for the General Electric Company, where she met and fell in love with Thomas Ernest Martin (Ernie). They were married in 1953 and remained devoted to one another for the next 69 years. For the first 33, Lucy Dunn stayed by his side as GE transferred them from Raleigh to Richmond to Baltimore and finally to Basking Ridge, NJ. where he finished out his career with the company. Being married to a salesman who was home only on weekends when their three children were young wasn’t easy, but her strength was the glue that held the family together as she raised the children and volunteered in their schools and at church. While in NJ, she took a job working at the circulation desk in the local public library where she was loved and recognized for her warm smile and willingness to stop whatever she was doing and help folks find what they were looking for. Always sharing her love of reading with her children and grandchildren, one of her favorite pastimes was serving as their clipping service, frequently mailing them articles she’d come across on parenting, art, baseball, writing, cooking or other topics she knew were of interest.
In 1986, Lucy Dunn and Ernie retired to Seven Lakes, where they lived for 38 years, enjoying golf, tennis, bridge, gardening, and sharing time with their many friends. Together they enjoyed traveling to Europe, Alaska, and exploring the National Parks in WY and Arizona. Volunteering was always important to her. She began teaching Sunday School when she was 14 and continued serving in various churches throughout her adult life as a Lay Eucharistic minister and member of the Vestry and Altar Guild. While in Seven Lakes, she was instrumental in establishing a new mission parish, St. Mary Magdalene. In addition to her work for the church, she volunteered for the William Byrd Community in Richmond, the Baltimore Symphony, the Literacy Council, and in area elementary schools, where she loved tutoring children.
No matter how busy she was, Lucy Dunn always had time for others - stopping to ask after another person’s day and family, and frequently providing meals and taking care of her friends as they aged. Despite encouragement from friends and family to accept assistance, she continued to manage their home, cook, and care for Ernie well into their 90’s. She even took care of the birds, providing them with well-stocked feeders year-round.
Lucy Dunn is survived by her brother, William S. Guion (Shiras) of Atlanta, GA; and her children and grandchildren who she adored: a daughter, Leigh M. Lowe (Henry) of Baltimore; two sons, Eric B. Martin (Jean) of Greensboro and Alan R. Martin (Karen) of Titusville, FL; 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Also dear to her heart was Anne Weiber of Lund, Sweden, a foreign exchange student who remained a devoted “daughter” for all of Lucy Dunn’s life. Lucy Dunn was predeceased in life by her husband Ernie in 2022 and a brother, Jack W. Guion.
To honor her lifelong kindness to others, please consider making a contribution to FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care, Pinehurst, NC.
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
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