Eileen Gravlin-Dunn

Eileen (Leeni) Gravlin-Dunn, 68, of Peterborough, New Hampshire passed away with dignity in her home with her family by her side on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Leeni was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on August 6, 1954, the daughter of Eugene and Ella (Dunn) Gravlin. Her family moved frequently during her childhood, living in Gardner, MA, Findlay, OH, Hartsdale, NY, New Providence, NJ, and North Easton, MA where she graduated from Oliver Ames High School in 1972. Leeni attended St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in Worcester, MA (1975) and worked at St. Vincent’s and Hubbard Regional Hospitals. She left nursing to lovingly raise her two daughters, Laura and Katie, the pride and joys of her life. During these years, living in Sutton and Douglas, MA, she worked as a seamstress, preschool teacher, and in various retail jobs to support her family and advance her education.

Leeni earned an Associates Degree in Visual Arts (Fiber) from the Worcester Center for Crafts/Quinsigamond Community College (1994), a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and History from Bridgewater State University (2000), and a Master of Education from Fitchburg State University (2005). Leeni taught special education for 13 years at the Sutton Early Learning Center and North Middlesex Regional School District. Leeni moved to Hancock, NH in 2004 into a home that she treasured. Following her retirement from teaching in 2013, she moved to Jaffrey, NH in 2015 and to Peterborough, NH in 2018.

Leeni was a talented artist, particularly with textiles. She excelled at quilting, weaving, sewing, knitting, fabric dying, screen printing, dressmaking, and more. Her creativity knew no bounds. She found joy in singing, gardening, and playing the fiddle. Leeni built community everywhere and was most recently active in the Animaterra Women’s Chorus, Monadnock Quilters Guild, First Congregational Church of Hancock, MAXT Makerspace, and establishing a community garden at her home at Woodland Heights. Her family and friends will miss her kind and gentle spirit, intellectual curiosity, and big heart. 

Leeni is survived by her eldest daughter, Laura E. King of Portland, ME, her youngest daughter, Kathleen A. King and her partner James J. McNeil of Boston, MA, and her partner, Michael Ryan of Peterborough. Leeni is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Robert DeAngelis of Concord, NH, her brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Judie Gravlin of Surprise, AZ, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Eugene and Ella (Dunn) Gravlin of Peoria, AZ and her former spouse, Edward Perry King of Sutton, MA.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 PM, at Jellison Funeral Home, 25 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 10 at 11:00 AM at the Hancock Congregational Church, 47 Main Street, Hancock, NH followed by a reception in the church vestry.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Eileen’s name to Dana Farber Cancer Institute or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

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