Rebecca Pauline Dunn's Obituary
Rebecca Pauline Dunn, age 46, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday March 31, 2020 at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. Rebecca was born September 7, 1973 in Lansing, MI to Lawrence and Sally (Nebbeling) Dunn. She is survived by her partner of 22 years and wife of 8 months, Melanie Auzins.
Rebecca was known for her gorgeous smile that touched every heart and lavish love and friendship she gave to everyone. She taught bilingual education at Grand Rapids Public Schools for 22 years. She was known as "La Profesora Penguina" by her students because of her love of penguins. She was a devoted teacher to her students at Buchanan Elementary; she deeply cared for each child and family, fiercely advocating for all who had the opportunity to have her for a teacher. She faithfully made weekly visits to her 102-year-old grandfather, no matter the circumstances. She was a wonderful baker and her special brownies were famous with her friends. Summer was her favorite time when she was able to pick fresh fruit, canning and making jam with her mom throughout the season. Rebecca was a Lake Michigan lover and found joy hanging out at the beach with her family and spending time swimming with her wife and their dog, Christian. She loved Michigan wines, especially Traverse City region; when she wasn't at the beach she toured wineries and had fun drinking wines with her wife and friends. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids and enjoyed exercising with her Soulful Motion group. Her greatest joy in the world was spending time with her nieces and nephews: Naomi, Anya, Josiah, Elias, Payton, Raegan, Kai, Kenji and Braydan. Her last loving act was to give "the gift of life" to those in need.
Rebecca will be deeply missed by all those who loved her: wife, Melanie; mother, Sally (Doug Doering) Dunn; step-mother, Beverly (Michael) Dunn-Lewis; grandfather, Cornelius Nebbeling; grandmother, Barbara Dunn; brother, Gabriel (Ali) Dunn; sisters: Sarah (Kevin) Hehir, Heather Dunn and Molly Dunn; uncles, Jim (Cheryl) Nebbeling and David (Melanie) Nebbeling and their families; and many friends, cousins, aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by her father, Lawrence Dunn; grandmother, Zamie Nebbeling; grandfather, John Dunn; and great-aunt, Lottie Booker.
A private funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven (508 Franklin Avenue, Grand Haven) Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 12:00 PM. The family invites you to join the service online at www.facebook.com/FirstPresGH. Memorial contributions in Rebecca's name may be given to Kids Food Basket-Grand Rapids (www.kidsfoodbasket.org). Please sign the family's online guestbook at www.systemafh.com.
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