Obituary: Irene Dunham (1935-2019)

We announce with deep sadness the passing of Irene Dunham of Lovell, Maine. With great joy and faith we share her firm belief that she will join again with Kelly Dunham, her beloved lifelong partner, whom she met at 17. They lived life as a couple in every sense of the word for 58 years until his death in 2010.

Irene, the daughter of Howard and Winona Allen, grew up in Lovell. In first grade she began a lifelong friendship with Berta Chandler. Irene and Berta spent many childhood sleepovers sharing laughter and discussing important topics late into the night. These discussions would end only when Howard, Irene’s father, would yell upstairs, “You girls be quiet and go to sleep!” Irene and Berta maintained these late-night talks until Irene’s last days. Their friendship provided Irene great comfort after the loss of Kelly.