Mary Lee and Buzz Dunn

Continuing our series "Getting to Know Our Neighbors," we want to introduce you to Mary Lee Dunn and her husband, Buzz, who have lived in the Esplanade for nine years. The Dunns had lived in Andover for 30 years where they had raised their children (now adults). Mary Lee said that they were ready to move into the city and find a place nearer to Mary Lee’s place of work. Buzz’s work allowed him more flexibility. They heard about the Esplanade from friends of theirs who were living here. The Esplanade seemed perfect and, so, they found a condo that was right for them and moved in! Mary Lee noted that they are happy here for many reasons. It was close to Mary Lee’s office when they moved in. Now that she and Buzz are mostly retired, they find the proximity to museums, music venues, theaters, the Charles River, beautiful walks and parks, and, of course, excellent medical facilities that make for a perfect place for them.

Mary Lee and Buzz have been married for 41 years and met through their work; they have a son and daughter. Their son, Will, his wife Ashley, and 20-month-old daughter, Isla, live in Brooklyn NY.  Will is Global Head of Communications at Aon; Ashley is Associate Curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and co-curator of the current Manet/Degas exhibition. Laura, their daughter. lives in Darien CT with her husband Lou and 4-year-old daughter, Isabella, known as “Izzie.” When I spoke with Mary Lee, she was at her daughter’s house helping out with Izzie while Laura, who is Chief Growth Officer at Wunderman Thompson, had an especially busy week since her company was going through a merger. Lou is a Managing Director at the consultancy StoneTurn. Mary Lee and Buzz travel to see their families as often as they can. “I’m always happy to help out and spend time with my children and granddaughters!”

Having grown up in Brookline in a family who followed local and national news, Mary Lee says she wanted to become a consumer reporter when she saw a woman in this role on TV, and pursued her degree in journalism at Suffolk University where she “learned from local journalists.” Her first job after graduation was with the Massachusetts Department of Commerce. She worked in the new Film Bureau Office that focused on attracting motion picture production to the Commonwealth. “It was exciting and fun; we got ‘The Verdict’ to shoot here and other films.” Soon she was promoted Director of Communications of the Department. Following her time there, Mary Lee took a job as the Assistant Vice President and Public Relations Manager at BayBank and stayed there for several years. It was after that, with her children young, she decided to step out of the workforce to be with them. Mary Lee, always active and energetic, got involved with the community while Will and Laura were growing up. “I believe that ‘love is showing up’ and, by being involved, I learned more about Andover, the schools, the PTO, and people living across Merrimack Valley and we got involved with the Lawrence Boys & Girls Club.” Mary Lee also attended Radcliffe Seminars and completed a Graduate Certificate in Management which “was a wonderful experience since I had been out of the workforce for several years and it was a real treat to travel regularly into Cambridge.”

A few years later a colleague who was working at Fidelity Investments told Mary Lee about a unique position opening up. It seemed ideal for Mary Lee --- being project manager planning group retreats for the very senior leaders and their spouses. “I had to plan everything, and it was  a unique view into the firm and its management.” Mary Lee stayed with Fidelity about 18 years when she was offered an excellent buy-out and afterwards accepted a position at TIAA in Corporate and Executive Communications (“It was a very good offer for a woman in her 50’s and it was almost fully remote!”) and stayed with them until she retired in 2021. Over these years, Buzz, after working for the Balfour Company and delivering the commemorative medallion celebrating Pope John Paul II’s visit to Boston, created his own business, Bill Dunn, Ltd., specializing in corporate awards and marketing programs ranging from the “Make It Massachusetts” campaign to major events including the Ted William’s Tunnel opening and 1999 MLB All-Star Game at Fenway Park. He was born in Staten Island NY, grew up in Rhode Island, and is a “huge sports fan,” and Boston has been great for him!

One other interesting fact about Mary Lee is that she is Democratic Chair of Ward 1 and that’s our Ward! She’s working to increase participation as “people have moved in and out of this area.” She finds the work satisfying -- getting to know good candidates, and understanding how things work. She and Danielle Allen, who is Ward 2 Chair, have worked together representing East Cambridge which is wonderful. Mary Lee says to let the readers know that she’d love to get more people involved so if you’re interested in finding out more, please contact Mary Lee at maryleedunn@gmail.com. Mary Lee is also determined to find someone responsive at the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to bring back trash receptacles to Cambridge Parkway, a much used local walk and bikeway. She has written to DCR leaders and made many calls and will continue to pursue this!

The Dunns are busy, involved, and social people. They love music, the arts, sports, walking, reading, and Yoga. In fact, they recommend the on-line Yoga studio they use. Here is the information about “Five Doors Yoga” for anyone interested:  https://www.fivedoorsyoga.com/  Mary Lee has also become interested in ancestry research and has found some interesting facts about her paternal great, great grandfather who lived in Charlestown and volunteered for the Mexican-American War at the age of 67. When he returned home, she notes, he received a pension!

They love living in the Esplanade and the one thing that was missing when they first moved in was the sense of community. That is improving, she says, with the ECG and the Listserv and hopes that continues. When you see Mary Lee and Buzz, make sure you introduce yourself and say “Hi.”

--Jane Hilburt-Davis