Remembering Carol Dunn
by Laura Clare Thevenet
Originally Published in the Fall 2020 issue of HearHere
Gregg and Mary Helen Wade with George and Carol Dunn
Longtime Spartanburg Philharmonic patron, Kathy Dunleavy, compared Carol Dunn’s presence at concerts to “the mayor walking in.” Mother-daughter duo, Carol Dunn and Mary Helen Dunn Wade, have been monumental figures in the Spartanburg Philharmonic community for years. When Carol passed away in February of this year, her family decided that memorials in her remembrance were to be dedicated to her two great passions, First Presbyterian Church and the Spartanburg Philharmonic. Carol’s goal was to encourage anyone and everyone to love her Spartanburg community as much as she did, and the life she lived reflected it wholly.
Carol was born in 1932 in Decatur, Georgia and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Agnes Scott College. Soon after, she met her husband George Dunn, Jr. in Atlanta at a square dance, and that spark lit the flame that turned into a loving 62 year marriage. George’s work with Milliken & Company landed them in several different cities before they planted roots permanently in Spartanburg in 1972. The Dunns quickly made their impact on the city, building a life for their three children, whom they loved dearly. Carol enjoyed a successful career as a top real estate agent in Spartanburg while George dedicated 44 years to Milliken.
George was immensely committed to his church, First Presbyterian, where he sang in the choir for 45 years. Although neither of them played an instrument, Carol and George made sure they ingrained a love and appreciation for music in their children. Their daughter, Mary Helen, recalls her and her two siblings’ upbringing with fondness.
George and Carol with their granddaughter
“All three of us took piano lessons growing up, and though my own musical education ended early, we have instilled in our children the same love of music my parents instilled in us. Our three daughters played cello in the District 7 Orchestra program from 5th through 12th grades. I am grateful for the musical influence my parents had on their children and twelve grandchildren.”
After attending UNC Chapel Hill, Mary Helen moved to New York City where she began her 25 year career in executive search. It was there that she was drawn back to music and subscribed to the New York Philharmonic every season. After 15 years in New York City, Mary Helen moved back to Spartanburg in 1996 when she married her husband, Gregg Wade. For Spartanburg High School alum Mary Helen, it was coming home. Eventually, Mary Helen and Gregg became subscribers to the Spartanburg Philharmonic, and Carol and George soon followed suit.
The family’s patronage to the Philharmonic started out as a double date night and turned into a tradition. Carol’s passion was to help people love Spartanburg, so the Philharmonic concerts became a place of fellowship where she would often congregate with dear friends such as Kathy and Ray Dunleavy, Janice and George Holbrook, Nancy Carlisle, and the entire Spartanburg community. Carol’s kind-natured presence was palpable at concerts. Her joy and love for her community was infectious and widespread.
Sadly, George passed away in 2017, but this did not deter Carol from attending Philharmonic concerts. In a way, it became a tribute to George to keep some sense of normalcy in the wake of his passing. She kept her two-seat subscription, attending with Mary Helen and Gregg and often inviting a friend. Mary Helen always cherished the continuation of these outings. “After dad passed, I believe attending the Philharmonic concerts offered my mom comfort. The beautiful music enveloped her and lifted her spirits.”
Carol and Mary Helen remained involved in the Philharmonic in any way they could. When it came time to form a search committee to find a new Music Director after Sarah Ioannides stepped down, former Spartanburg Philharmonic Board Chair Ray Dunleavy knew that Mary Helen’s extensive experience in executive search would serve them well on the search committee, so she joined the three year search that led to the hiring of Music Director Stefan Sanders.
Mary Helen recalls that Stefan’s hiring particularly delighted her mother. “Mom was always so proud of Stefan. She felt very maternal towards him, partially because I was on the search committee, but more importantly, she loved the fact that Stefan and his wife Kela chose to live in her beloved Spartanburg.” Carol was always eager to show off her city and welcomed anyone that shared her sentiments.
In addition to spending time with her parents at concerts, one of Mary Helen’s fondest Philharmonic memories was being invited with her mother, Kathy Dunleavy, and a few others to visit Joella Utley in Campobello, SC, and tour the Utley’s extensive trumpet collection. Carol had the utmost respect and admiration for music and was thrilled to see such an amazing collection and tribute to the Utleys’ lifelong dedication to their passion.
Carol and George with Cathy Dunleavy
Carol’s friendship with Kathy Dunleavy stretched over 30 years. When Kathy first moved to Spartanburg, she worked at First Federal Bank as a mortgage banker, and that is where she met Carol through the real estate world. The move to Spartanburg had moved Kathy away from her family in Florida, so Carol and George quickly took her under their wing, and they became her “surrogate” family.
To honor Carol’s passing, Kathy and Ray had planned to sponsor 25 students from Meeting Street Academy to attend a Philharmonic concert for free in April, but the event was unfortunately canceled due to COVID-19. “Carol just loved children and always fostered a love for music in her own children and grandchildren, so we thought it was the perfect homage to her life and contributions,” Kathy said. Kathy and Ray plan to proceed with this tribute as soon as the current public health situation allows it.
Carol’s generous spirit, infectious enthusiasm, and passion for her community will be passed on through the lives that she impacted while she was here. She was truly the best spokesperson and advocate for Spartanburg. Her warm presence at Spartanburg Philharmonic concerts will be greatly missed.
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Laura Clare Thevenet is a former intern and staff member of the Spartanburg Philharmonic. She continues to support the Philharmonic by writing the occasional article and blog. An accomplished musician herself, Laura-Clare has studied guitar and voice for 10 years and is a freelance musician and singer-songwriter.