Mary Elizabeth (Wine) Dunnack

Mary Elizabeth (Wine) Dunnack, affectionately known as “Toots” to her family, age 80, of Bear, DE, went home to the Lord on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Born in New Orleans, LA, February 12th, 1946, the daughter of Willis and Irene (Perry) Wine. She grew up in Bethesda, MD, graduating in 1964 from Walter Johnson High School, before leaving home to attend Houghton College. It was at Houghton College that she met her husband, John M. Dunnack, before graduating in 1968 with a degree in Music Education and a concentration in Voice. While there, she was a soprano in the A Capella and Oratorio choirs. After their marriage in 1969, she taught middle school music in Cuba Lake, NY, before moving with her husband to his first church in Gloucester, MA, where she dedicated herself to being a mother and pastor’s wife.  Raising 3 children and supporting her husband’s ministry, often working as church secretary, choir director, Sunday school teacher, youth leader and bible study leader, she worked tirelessly to serve her family and the Lord. Throughout her life, music was her passion, and she found great satisfaction when she joined the University of Delaware Music Department as an administrative assistant in 1993, ultimately becoming the Music Recruitment Coordinator and Music Advisor. Throughout her 20-year career at the University, she took great joy in guiding her students through their education, from their first audition to their last performance.

Mary was heavily involved alongside her husband in the Delmarva Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis communities, serving as a musician or Rectora on numerous retreat weekends. In her retirement, she threw her energy into supporting Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child. Opening her home, organizing and helping to pack thousands of boxes of gifts for children in need.

Mary Dunnack is survived by her three children, son, Glendon and daughters, Julie Hook and Melinda Brown; grandchildren, Jordan, Madison, Abigail, Kyra, Devin, Kaylee, and Ian; great-grandchildren, Kenai and Elios; and Fred the Cat. She was predeceased in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, The Reverend John M. Dunnack; parents, Willis and Irene (Perry) Wine; and sister Nancy (Wine) Higgins.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Christ the Cornerstone Church, 3135 Summit Bridge Road, Bear, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 12:30 pm. Graveside services will take place in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North Dupont Highway, New Castle, DE. A reception will follow at Christ the Cornerstone Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or online by clicking here.