1952 ~ 2024
Leah Dunn, Traverse City, died peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2024 of multiple myeloma with her loving husband by her side.
Leah was a bright light whose love lit up the lives of her family, friends, and members of the wider community. She was a devoted wife, doting aunt, and loyal friend.
Leah was born in Detroit in May of 1952 to Shirley and Wesley Schwartz. After high school she graduated from the nursing program at Madonna University in Livonia. Leah shared her gifts of healing and compassion as a head nurse in a large medical unit in Sinai Hospital in Detroit. After many years in nursing, Leah and a colleague decided to change careers and go into business together. They purchased a franchise of Mail Boxes Etc. Over time the pair owned four stores. Leah was a successful businesswoman who was known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and respect for her customers and employees.
Leah married the love her life, Dr. Jack Dunn, in 1991. The couple enjoyed many adventures together including traveling, annual trips to Chicago for Christmas shopping, and cruising around the Great Lakes in their boat. One summer during a particularly stormy passage on Saginaw Bay, Jack and Leah sang Christmas carols into the gusting winds to help calm their nerves until the danger had passed. They were an inspiring pair who modeled a marriage built on mutual respect, trust, and love.
In 1991 Jack and Leah purchased a home in Omena. The couple commuted between their homes in Grosse Pointe and Omena until 2013 when they moved to Omena full-time. Leah was the consummate hostess while entertaining in their Omena home. She embraced the opportunity to host Christmas gatherings for their extended family, delighting in the opportunity to help create warm holiday memories. She also enjoyed sharing her gift of hospitality at their annual Fourth of July party, complete with festive buntings spanning the front porch. She was an avid gardener, creating beautiful gardens alongside Jack.
Leah was a beloved member of Suttons Bay Congregational Church where she sang in the choir, served in myriad leadership positions, and was a treasured member of two small groups. In addition to her service at the church, Leah was on the board of Remain in Touch and a generous supporter of other community organizations. Anyone who had the opportunity to work alongside Leah knows she was the “the woman for the job,” willing to work tirelessly to accomplish a task and promote causes in which she believed.
Leah had a beautiful soul and she lived with grace, gratitude, and generosity. She helped make life better for so many people. Those who knew her were blessed by her presence in their lives.
Leah is survived by her loving husband Jack, sister Cindy Schwartz, brother Dwayne (Marcia) Schwartz, sisters-inlaw Deborah (Walter) Bauer, Barbara (Marcus) Knisely, Katharine (James) Galbraith, brother-in-law William (Mary Beth) Dunn, nephews Wesley, Matthew (Desaree), and Jonathan (Bilal), nieces Jaqlyn (Casey), Megan (Nathan), Jacquelyn ( Jacob), Emma (Tim), Abbey (Luke), Phoebe (Andrew), great nephews Henry and Leland, and great nieces Adeline, Ashlynn, Audrina, Avery and Sloane.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 11 AM at Suttons Bay Congregational Church in Suttons Bay with the Rev. Dr. Robin L. Carden officiating. Memorial gifts may be directed to Suttons Bay Congregational Church, PO Box 70, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.
