Catherine M. Dunlap 1927-2022

Catherine was born Oct. 28, 1927, in Toronto, Ohio. She was the oldest of seven children born to Macario “Mike” and Lena Conti Reale.

In addition to caring for her husband and her family, Catherine dedicated herself to God and the United Methodist Church. She was very active with the Women’s Society of the Northeast Ohio Conference. She held numerous positions and was its president for several years. With the death of her husband in 1980, she returned to college and obtained a master’s degree in Christian education from Methesco Seminary in 1983. Following her degree, Catherine worked at Methesco and later as the associate pastor at the United Methodist Church in Kent, retiring in 2003. However, her work was not done.

Upon retirement, she moved to Youngstown and at the request of the Youngstown District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church, Catherine worked at the district office and filled the pulpit at Braceville, Brookfield, Howland, Salineville and several other churches, until a minister could be found.

Throughout her tenure working for the church, she held numerous positions, including on the National Board of Publications, as a trustee of the Ohio Northern University and as a delegate at the National Conferences and the World Conferences of the church, on several occasions. Catherine had a love for the Lord and strove every day to live by His commandments.

She was married to the late William F. Dunlap and they had three children. She leaves to cherish her memories her children, Charles E. (Sharyn) Dunlap, Linda C. Molinaro and Thomas M. (Jeanette) Dunlap; three grandchildren, that were the apple-of-her-eye, Adam J. (Hilary) Dunlap, Natale C. Molinaro (Scott Davis) and Margaret C. Dunlap; two great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly, Isabella C. Manis and Miles R. Dunlap; a brother, Michael Reale; and a sister, Josephine Blackburn; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Besides her parents and husband, Catherine was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Lucia P. Manis; a son-in-law, Steven Molinaro; and her four siblings.

A memorial service, in Catherine’s honor, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at Church Hill United Methodist Church, 189 Churchill Hubbard Road,Youngstown, with her dear friend, Pastor Russ Adams, as officiant.

Catherine’s family will greet and receive condolences from family and friends following the memorial service.

Catherine was privately laid to rest next to her husband, William, in Union Cemetery, Steubenville.

Professional services are entrusted to the professional care of the Rossi and Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Youngstown, OH 44512.

Friends and family may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com / to view this obituary, sign the guestbook and send condolences to the family.

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