Mary Carr Meunier Dahlen, age 85, of Hockessin, Delaware, passed away surrounded by her family on December 30, 2025. Born in Wilmington, Mary was the daughter of the late Mary (Laffey) and Paul Meunier. She graduated from Saint Helena's Elementary School, Ursuline Academy, and Trinity College before teaching in Alabama and Delaware. She was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker, and a faithful Catholic who remained actively involved with St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Hockessin throughout her life. (St. Mary of the Assumption Parish: https://smachurch.com/ )

Mary served for years as a Eucharistic minister and sang in the St. Mary of the Assumption choir for decades. She also volunteered with Meals on Wheels, delivering meals and friendship to people in need. She hosted teens and hosts for Ulster Project Delaware – a project that brings Protestant and Catholic teens from Northern Ireland to live with Wilmington-area families for a month each summer. (Ulster Project Delaware: https://ulsterprojectdelaware.org/) An avid traveler, she particularly loved visiting Ireland, as well as her children abroad in China and Sweden.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Rolf Dahlen (1991), her daughter, Kirsten Dahlen (2008), and her twin brother, Paul Meunier Jr. (2022). She is survived by her siblings: Elizabeth Landis, Lorena Meunier (Bill Hardham), and Stephen Meunier (Laurie Ettus). She is also survived by her children and their spouses: Peter Dahlen (Hélène), Meghan Dahlen Freeland (Tom), and Sean Dahlen (Lauren Burawski); her grandchildren: Gabriel, Sebastian, Alexander, Rhys, and Bjorn; and her extended family, including nieces Kerry, Karin, and Jennifer; and nephews John, Glen, Paul, Dean, Bren, Lee, Greg, and Thomas; and many grandnieces and grandnephews. Above all, she loved hosting and spending time with her family and friends.

Music was always a big part of her life—from the choir at St. Mary's, to Christmas caroling, and to The Brandywiners and The Brandywiners Chorale. Soon after Rolf's death, Mary found a true anchor in The Brandywiners community—an enduring source of music, purpose, and close friendships for 30 years. (The Brandywiners: https://brandywiners.org/ Brandywiners Chorale: https://brandywiners.org/brandywiners-chorale/ )

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Ministry of Caring, 115 E. 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. (Ministry of Caring: https://www.ministryofcaring.org /)

A visitation will be held at the Mealey Funeral Home, 2509 Limestone Road Wilmington, DE 19808 on Thursday January 8th from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated the following morning, Friday January 9th, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Union and Gilpin Streets, Wilmington. Burial will be held privately at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Ashland. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Ministry of Caring, 115 E. 14th Street Wilmington, DE 19801.