Kathleen Elizabeth Dunlay ’79

Kathleen Elizabeth Dunlay ’79 of Lincoln, Massachusetts, died on May 29, 2024, from complications from chronic pain. She was born on November 5, 1957, and grew up in Wayland, Massachusetts. At Dartmouth she majored in environmental studies, competed in women’s gymnastics, and joined Foley House, where she was known for her amazing fiddling and other musical talents, poetry, and contra dancing. Kate earned an M.A. in folklore and ethnomusicology from Indiana University. She and her husband, David Greenberg, moved to Toronto, Canada, and later to Halifax, Nova Scotia. She became a traditional music teacher, writer, and researcher, focusing on Cape Breton Island fiddle music, studying Irish and Scottish music, and dancing and fiddling with international folk dance troupe Mandala and among New England’s contra dance scene. She was also passionate about gardening and environmental issues. Kate leaves a prodigious catalog of original, traditional fiddle music available on SoundCloud. Classmates remember her as “strong and independent, both physically and mentally,” and as “a wonderful, kind, free spirit.” “She loved music, playing and dancing to it, going out into the Upper Valley musical community and playing at traditional dances and similar get-togethers. We remember her smile (full of fun) and her eyes (full of life). She was a light in any room she came into.” Kate is survived by daughter Sara, son Owen, partner Larry, and former husband, David.