Marie Salamoun -Dunne was born and raised Antigonish, NS and is the eldest of nine children. She attended Saint Francis Xavier University where she obtained an BA, and BED as well as the University of Bordeaux, France where she completed French studies and taught English.
Marie was a tireless volunteer for the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of PEI and helped establish support services for people living with ALS on the Island. She was involved locally, provincially and nationally with the ALS Society. She also volunteered locally, provincially and nationally with the Association of Health Care Auxiliaries. Salamoun-Dunne was an influential advocate for Hospice Palliative Care and brought Neurological diseases for consideration. She was on the Awards Committee and Board of the Community Foundation of PEI. Marie was a co-founder of 100 Women Who Care -Prince County.
Marie was honoured by the ALS Society of Canada with the Myra Rosenfeld volunteer award and was made a Life Member of that Society. She received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Summerside Mayor Medal of Honour, and was inducted into the St. Francis Xavier University Hall of Honour in 2023.
She and her husband are the parents of two sons.