Karen Dunn, known as a leader and innovator in the management of residential real estate sales, died July 16, 2010 at the age of 66 after a long battle with cancer. Karen retired in 2005 as the manager of the Annapolis Church Circle office of Coldwell Banker. She led the Church Circle office to unequalled records in sales volume and profit. Previously Karen had worked in the corporate offices of O’Conner, Piper and Flynn where she pioneered the “real estate office of the future” and filled in at various locations as interim manager to rescue troubled offices. She also worked for Merrill Lynch and Prudential managing offices in Eastport and Bowie.
Karen was born in Hagerstown, MD, graduating from South Hagerstown High School. She attended Hood College in Frederick, MD and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Earlier in her career she worked for Auto Train Corporation, rising to Vice President. She began her professional career as a teacher. Karen established the Head Start program in Carroll County, MD; taught developmentally disabled children; and engaged in primary, secondary and adult education in Maryland, Florida and Turkey.
Karen was a member of Martini Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baltimore. Previously she had been a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Annapolis and Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Greenbelt, MD, serving as an Elder in both congregations. Prior to her illness Karen was active in a variety of community organizations and causes.
Karen is survived by her husband of over 40 years, Richard Dunn (They were residents of the Loch Haven neighborhood in Edgewater, MD for nearly 28 years); her loving and devoted son Christian Dunn and daughter-in-law Alayne Dunn of Baltimore. Others grieving Karen’s loss include her brother Kenneth Carbaugh of Hagerstown, sister Candace Clevenger of Woodbridge, VA, sister Melody Hain of Hagerstown, as well as nieces and nephews.
A memorial gathering will be held on Monday, July 26 from 11 AM to 12 noon, with a memorial service to follow at noon, at the John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis. Inurnment will follow in the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1041 Rt. 3 North, Gambrills, MD 21054.
