Evelyn Rita Dunning

Evelyn Rita Dunning, 93, of Cicero and a former long-time resident of Camillus, passed away Friday at Loretto Health & Rehabilitation. Born in Utica, she moved to Camillus in 1966, then to Cicero in 2008, and later settled at The Heritage Memory Life Community at Loretto in 2020. Evelyn was a 1947 graduate of Proctor High School in Utica and was a 1949 graduate of the NY State Institute of Applied Arts & Sciences in New Hartford. She studied piano at Utica Conservatory of Music. A communicant of Sacred Heart Church, Evelyn was also a former communicant of St. Joseph's Church, member of the Legion of Mary and CCD teacher. She enjoyed playing the piano and gardening. Above all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and grand dogs.

Evelyn was predeceased by her husband, C. William Dunning, in 2007; son, Michael Dunning, in 1957; daughter, Suzanne House, in 2009; and sisters, Mary Jane Sirianni and Dolores Cuda.

Surviving are her daughter, Kathy (Dominic) Leo of Cicero; son, Paul (Jennifer) of Syracuse; grandchildren, Daniel and Steven Leo, and Kaitlin, Ryan, Emily and Sean Dunning; great-grandchildren, Emma, Hailey, Ashton, Dominic and Luca Leo; sister-in-law, Angie Dunning of Rensselaer; and several nieces and nephews.

The family of Evelyn would like to thank the staff at Loretto for their loving care and compassion.

Relatives and friends may call Tuesday, August 8 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 8229 Brewerton Rd., Cicero. A funeral Mass will follow in the church. 

A private burial will be in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Syracuse.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to CNY SPCA, 5878 E. Molloy Rd., Mattydale, NY 13211.