Alice M. Dunn (nee Ondrla), 83, a longtime resident of Oak Park, died suddenly on October 11, 2025. She devoted her life to educating children, beginning at Hiawatha School in Berwyn until she became a mother in 1974. She stayed home to raise her daughters then returned to education through the Park District of Oak Park’s preschool program, and finished her teaching career with over 20 years at Ascension School’s second grade. An avid gardener with a fondness and a skillset to keep the most beautiful orchids in bloom, she also kept the door open to her home, with a warm welcome and a tray of homemade cookies, which she also used as bait to ensure visits from her grandsons, and then all of the kids in the neighborhood. A diehard White Sox fan who watched every game they played, even during the 2024 season, she was also a longtime parishioner at Ascension Church and enjoyed being part of that community and attending Mass every Sunday.
Alice was the wife of Robert A. Dunn for 53 years; the mother of Julieann (Michael) Hedges and Megan Dunn; the Nana of Brady, Jack and Dylan Hedges; the sister of Thomas (Christine) Ondrla; aunt of Jennifer, Joseph, Mark, Alex, Caitlin, Moira and Robert, and friend of her childhood soulmate, Sharon Wisinski, and countless others.
Visitation will be held on Monday Oct. 20 from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:30 Funeral Mass, at Ascension Church, 808 S. East Ave., Oak Park. Alice will be interred privately at Queen of Heaven Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Ascension School, 601 Van Buren St., Oak Park, IL 60304 are appreciated.
Arrangements were handled by Peter B. Kennedy & Co., Funeral Directors.