Carol Maloney-Dunstan, Retired 2nd Grade Primrose Teacher, Dies

Carol Maloney-Dunstan, a longtime Somers resident, died at home Thursday, Feb. 28. She was predeceased by her husbands George Donald Maloney and Howard Dunstan (2011). 

Maloney-Dunstan was born and raised in Greenwich, CT on the 35-acre family farm on Upper King Street. Her extended family also owned farms on Anderson Hill Road and the local vicinity. Later the area was converted into both residential and commercial properties. HettieFred Road in Greenwich was named after her paternal grandparents Frederick and Hettie Webster Schmaling and the commercial properties became known as Blind Brook Country Club and PepsiCo. 

She was very proud of her family heritage. She was a direct descendent of both the Cruger and Dyckman families. The historical record of both family dates back to the 1600’s. They were some of the more prominent families in the area, Boscobel having been the family home prior to being restored as a historical landmark.

Upon graduating high school, the woman received the “Jenkins Memorial Scholarship for Teacher Education” and attended State University at New Palt on a full scholarship. There she received her Bachelor’s degree. She continued her education ultimately receiving her Master’s Degree. 

In addition to being a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and wife, Maloney-Dunstan was a respected teacher. She taught fourth grade at King Street school for 7 years. She served as President of the PTA and was inducted into Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary education sorority.

In 1969, she moved to Somers and taught second grade at Primrose School. In 1975, she single handedly created the annual creative writing contest "Why I am proud to be and American." She would arrange and judge the contest, with the winning selection to be read at the 4th of July Picnic.  She remained in the career she so adored for 25 more years at Primrose School before retiring. 

Maloney-Dunstan also taught ballroom dancing for several years. After studying dance as an adult, she went on to develop her own program and teach at SUNY Purchase, Somers Adult Education and numerous other locations.

She was a founding member of both the Somers Newcomers Club and Somers Junior Women’s Club. She remained involved in Delta Kappa Gamma and was President of the Northern Westchester Retired Teachers Association. She was involved in many varied groups and activities too numerous to list. 

A highlight was a safari Maloney-Dunstan and her husband were able to take to fulfill his lifelong dream of vising Africa. They also travelled to Iceland, Alaska and other interesting places. After retiring, the woman spent time involved in her many social activities and clubs. She also enjoyed playing bridge, swimming, spending time with her family and her cats.

She is survived by her loving daughter Karen Maloney and granddaughter Bridget Maloney of Somers NY; two stepsons: Mark Dunstan of Marco Island FL, Neil and Ava Dunstan and their daughters Bailey and Laney of Marco Island FL and other beloved family.

Family will receive friends at Clark Associates Funeral Home in Katonah on Friday, March 8 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.  A Memorial Service will be celebrated on Saturday, March 9 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Lukes Episcopal Church, 331 Route 100, Somers. Interment to follow in St. Lukes’ Urn Garden. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to: Forgotten Felines, P.O. Box 430, Valhalla, NY 10595 or The American Heart Association, PO Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049, http://honor.americanheart.org/goto/Carol_MaloneyDunstan