Nancy L. Dunn, age 90, of Chelsea, MI, died Sunday, November 14, 2021 peacefully at her home on Cavanaugh Lake surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on June 16, 1931 in Flint, Michigan to Herman and Dorothy Luhrs Sr. and was raised as one of seven siblings.
Nancy was the loving wife of Jack Dunn for over 65 years, after meeting as children at Higgins Lake where their families summered when she was 11 and Jack was 9. After growing up as best friends, they married on July 21, 1956 and together they built a family, built a business, and raised three children in Chelsea: Kathy Dunn Finger, Kimberly Tapping, and John F. Dunn.
She briefly attended Michigan State University, but was a celebrated University of Michigan fan once she married Jack, as they were season ticket holders to Michigan football games and enjoyed many years of tailgate parties and UM Football.
Before marrying Jack, she worked at General Motors doing Economic and Political Research and also worked with her father hosting many American Legion Events with her sisters. While hosting Legion events she loved telling the stories of meeting Shirley Temple, Red Skelton, many politicians, and Dwight & Mamie Eisenhower, and even going on a date once with John Wayne. She also worked with her husband as he founded and built Chelsea Industries. She was his Leasing and Maintenance Manager for 10 years at the Clocktower Complex.
Nancy was involved in the Chelsea Co-op Nursery School, Child Study Club, Chelsea Women’s Bridge Club, and was a long- time volunteer at the Chelsea Community Hospital. She also co-chaired the initial Chapter of the American Cancer Society in Chelsea with her dear friend Marj Daniels. For many years she belonged to and painted with Chelsea Painters, which enriched and cultivated her love of art over her lifetime.
Nancy also loved to entertain family and friends, both in Chelsea with her “Friday night cocktail parties” and dinner parties as well as at her “Happy Place” in Venice, Florida at her Aldea Mar Condo, known as the “Village by the Sea.” She was a beautiful friend and an amazing hostess, and had many friends she called family! Her greatest joy, she loved to say, was “romping, playing, and dancing” with family, friends, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, especially boating, swimming, and riding her wave runner in the summers! Unconditional love of her family and friends was a guiding light in Nancy’s life.
She is survived by her loving husband, Jack Dunn, her children: Kathy (Art) Finger, Kim (Don) Tapping, and John (Anna) Dunn; as well as her grandchildren: Mark (Rochelle) Tapping, Christopher (Lindsey) Tapping, Stephen (Erica) Tapping, Bryan (Sarah) Dunn, Elise (Chris) Burhans, Megan (Al) Zeiher, and Lucas Dunn; and her great-grandchildren: Aubrey & Morgan Tapping; Ethan & Emma Tapping; Bella, Leo, Gus & Iris Tapping; Nora, Wendy & William Dunn; Jack & Easton Burhans; and Anna Zeiher. Judy (John) Connors of Henderson, Nevada is her surviving sibling. She is also survived and loved by many amazing and special nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, 901 N. Main St., Chelsea, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. A celebration of Nancy’s life will take place at St. Mary Catholic Church, 14200 E. Old US 12, Chelsea, on Thursday, November 18, 2021 with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service, and a luncheon will be held afterwards at the social hall. A private burial service will take place for the immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Nancy to the Arbor Hospice Foundation, 2366 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103, or St Mary Catholic Church, 14200 E Old US 12, Chelsea, MI 48118. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Comfort Keepers Home Care in Ann Arbor, MI, Arbor Hospice, and St. Mary Catholic Church for their loving care of Nancy.
