Louise Dunbar

Dunbar, Mrs. Louise Morgan Kalamazoo, MI Passed away peacefully at her home in Kalamazoo on August 9, 2016, age 85. She was the eldest daughter of Walter Morgan II and Mary (Kidde) Morgan. Born on June 11, 1931 in East Orange, NJ, she grew up and attended high school in Glen Ridge, NJ and spent summers of her childhood on Long Island, NY. The natural beauty of the beach and the ocean became a part of her. She attended the University of Michigan, completing her B.S. degree in Chemistry with Phi Beta Kappa honors, a member of the Collegiate Sorosis Sorority. She met Robert "Bob" Dunbar at U of M and they were married February 20, 1954, while he was still in the Marine Corps. Their first home was in New Britain, CT, but following a job transfer, the couple moved with a son, Robert Jr. and daughter, Kathryn Scot, first to Wheaton, Illinois and then in 1961 to Kalamazoo, where Bob had been born and raised. Shortly after, another son, Stuart Morgan, was born. To her children Louise passed her love of the seashore and the family continued to visit her extended family summer residence in Quiogue, NY throughout her life. But, wherever Louise saw an opportunity to help others she was eager to do so and soon her attention was focused on her new home in Michigan. She volunteered in numerous activities, church, school and community. She was a member of the League of Women Voters and the Junior League. Like her mother she was active in the church. Her home was welcome to all; always open to friends, neighbors and travelers. Louise loved nature and in 1980 the family designed and built a cabin together on the Boardman river near Traverse City where she enjoyed hiking and skiing in the forest, canoeing and swimming in the river, and evenings by the fire with friends and family. In 1986 Louise and Bob moved to Phoenix, AZ, where she became interested in American Indian art and history and volunteered as a museum guide for the Heard Museum. Two years later the couple returned to Kalamazoo. Louise attended graduate school at WMU and in 1992 she received her Masters of Social Work degree. She continued her volunteer work with St Luke's Episcopal Church, Family and Children Services, Visiting Nurses and Friends of the Court. While volunteering at Housing Resources she formed, with church volunteers and resources, the Partners in Housing Transition ministry. The organization continues to receive recognition for its service to families in need. In 2006 Louise was diagnosed with dementia. The last 10 years of her life were a long slow decline. She suffered the loss of her faculties gracefully, accepting the help of her husband and family, caregivers and doctors with quiet dignity; those who cared for her during this time became enamored with her strong spirit and tender heart. She is survived by her husband, Robert Dunbar and three children, Robert Dunbar Jr. of Westhampton Beach, NY, Kathryn Trotsky of Marblehead, MA, Stuart Dunbar of London, England and their spouses; 4 grand-children, Hunter, Elizabeth, Willis and Maxx; sister, Elsa Luker of Hanover, NH, brother, Walter Morgan III of Charlottesville, VA, and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kalamazoo on Saturday, 20th August at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to express its deepest gratitude for all of Louise's caregivers, and requests that memorial contributions be given to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. (www.hospiceswmi.org) Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. www.langelands.com