Patricia G. Dunlap

Patricia Kirk Galbraith Dunlap, 89, formerly of Derry Township, PA, devoted wife, beloved mother, grandmother, and cherished friend passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord in Easton, MD on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. She was the wife of the late David P. Dunlap, former Chief Electrical Engineer at the Hershey Company, whom she met in 1956 and married “after three dates.” Patricia had recently moved to Easton, MD to be closer to family. 

Patricia was the youngest daughter of Kirkpatrick Espy and Elizabeth Fullerton Galbraith. Her family’s roots in Derry Township go back to the 18th century, when the Penn family encouraged Ulster-Scots immigrants to settle the “frontier.” Early Galbraith graves can be found at Derry Church in Hershey, Donegal Church in Mount Joy, and the Old Public Graveyard in Carlisle.

After Junior College in Virginia, she trained as a medical technician at Bryn Mawr Hospital. For most of her career, Patricia worked in the Critical Care Unit of the Hershey Medical Center. In 1972, she and David bought property in East Hanover Township, where they built a family home and farm. They travelled extensively, sailed much of the Chesapeake Bay, and treasured time with valued friends.

Patricia loved art and painted many oils and watercolors. She enjoyed Bible study and led an investment club. She was also an avid gardener, vowing never to move from their East Hanover home until her gardens outgrew her ability to keep them up. That day came in her 80th year when she and David bought their last home together in Derry Township.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, her parents, a stepmother, and two sisters. She is survived by three sons: Parker (wife Susan) of Butler, PA, Daniel (wife Donna) of Church Creek, MD, and Dwight (wife Joy) of Cape Cod, MA. She has six grandchildren: Kirk (fiancée Eshita), Victoria (husband Devon), Gareth (wife Samantha), Josiah, Nathaniel, and Sarah. Her first great-grandchildren are due in November and March.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity Cathedral, Easton, MD on November 22 at 11:00 am. Her ashes will be interred together with those of her husband at the Hershey Cemetery. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Friends of Old Trinity Church, P.O. Box 157, Church Creek, MD, 21622.