Leta "Bunny" Morrison

Leta “Bunny” Downing Morrison was born April 5, 1942, on Easter Sunday, to Dr. Jere Robert Downing and Leta Marr Downing, in Portland, Maine. She fell asleep in Jesus on September 11, 2023 after a decades long journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

Born on Easter, she was distinguished from her mother and known as, “Bunny”.  Full of life and happiness, she was raised on the coast of Maine in Kennebunk.  The greater Kennebunk area, particularly Fortunes Rocks, was a place she cherished, and felt most at home, to the end.

Bunny was raised in the 35 Summer St. home of her parents, with her sister, Joan.  It was a charmed up-bringing, filled with love and devotion. Bunny was a product of the Kennebunk school system, and graduated from KHS in 1960, with her best, life-long friend, Betsy Hall Domoto.  Their fierce, loving friendship endured to the end!  Bunny excelled in drama, band, basketball, numerous groups and activities as well as the National Honor Society.

In 1964 she graduated from Lake Erie College with a bachelor’s degree in English, and embarked on her life’s journey, sharing her love and radiant smile with all who knew her.  To the end, she was kind, gracious and loving!

She met the enchanting, Peter Foster Morrison, in the summer of 1963, when they were both working at the Atlantis Hotel, and her life was forever transformed.  They were married October 30, 1964, and shared fifty years together before Peter was called home to the Lord on their 50^th wedding anniversary.

Life happily brought them to Hanover, NH, where they raised three girls, Karen Elizabeth (Beth) Morrison Curnow (Steve) of Beverly Hills, FL; Jennifer Lynne Morrison (Wayne Misselbeck) of North Hero, VT; and Heather Christine Morrison (Austin Carson), of Denver, CO.  Her children were cherished and the light of her world. Bunny delighted in and deeply loved her five granddaughters – Hunter, Niki, Bryce, Ally and Olivia.  She had a particular soft spot for her great grandson, Bentley.

Peter and Bunny were partners in entertainment and making memories as they celebrated their lives together with friends, family and the Hanover community.  Bunny joyed to raise her daughters as strong, confident women. She and Peter made the girls’ activities and their friends the focus of their lives.  Centered in love, they extended that love into the lives around them. Bunny was considered a second mother by many.

Their true joy was on the coast of Maine at Fortunes Rocks, where they would celebrate life and welcome all to joyous times, mesmerized by the ocean, smothered by family and feasting together.  There was always, a H-U-G-E HUG, for everyone (but especially Heather), wherever they were!

Bunny was the quintessential special mother, supporting the family, mentoring her children and generations of friends.  She will be remembered for her Maine stoicism, her love of life and her family, her crossword prowess, and for her dry sense of humor.

Bunny is predeceased by her parents, her husband and his family.  She leaves behind her daughters, granddaughters and her great-grandson.  Bunny is also survived by her sister, Joan Downing (Allan Haack) of Bradenton, FL, her best friend Betsy, as well as her nephews Leighton Morrison and JR Ouellette and nieces Faith Carlson and Alyssa Ouellette.

Bunny’s enduring faith will be celebrated privately by family, and she will be interred next to her loving husband, Peter, in Hope Cemetery in Kennebunk, Maine.

“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh; Blessed be the name of our God!” (Job 1:21)

The family extends heartfelt thanks and praise to Dr. Peter Gunther, the wonderful staff of Gazebo Senior Living, and the UVM Home Health & Hospice team.

In lieu of flowers please do something kind for someone else. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  (Ephesians 4:32).

For those who are inclined, donations can be made in Bunny’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.