Rosemary Louise (Platte) Dunbar, 96, of Traverse City, passed away December 10, 2021.

Our mother, Rosemary Louise (Platte) Dunbar was born in Detroit Michigan on February 2, 1925 to Fred J. and Rose Platte. Sadly, Grandma Rose passed away when Rosemary was only six years old, leaving our grandfather to raise 7 children. Mom had many, many stories of the perils and blessings of growing up, the only girl in a house with six brothers on Lake St. Clair.

Fortunately, mom was able to attend high school at Nazareth Academy near Kalamazoo, a girl's boarding school run by the Sisters of St. Joseph. It was at Nazareth that mom met her roommate, Beverly (Tobin) Reynolds who became the sister she never had and her dearest lifelong friend. They graduated in 1943.

After graduation Mom joined the work force. One of her jobs was, enviably, a summer working at Mary's Pantry (now the French Outpost) on Mackinac Island. In time she went to work for Michigan Bell Telephone Company. At a company Christmas party in 1953 mom's boss suggested she sit with some members of the Blue Book sales team, one of whom was Richard J. (aka Dick) Dunbar. They were married two years later.

They eventually settled in Dearborn Heights and raised their three children, Patty, Richard, Jr., and Mary Ann. In 1978 the family moved to Traverse City. Mom made many friends through her years working at Kmart, her time helping out on the funeral luncheon committee at Immaculate Conception, her exercise class at the pool and the Traverse City Senior Center after she learned there were no old people there. She made new friends among the residents and the wonderful staff at Hawthorn Cottage.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband Richard, Sr. and son Richard, Jr. as well as brothers Fred, George, Tom, Bill, and Bob along with many dear relatives and friends. She is survived by her daughters and her youngest brother Joe Platte.

She will be greatly missed.

Our thanks to the caring staff at Hawthorn Cottage, the Grand Traverse Pavilions and especially the staff at Munson Hospice House who took care of us as well as Mom in her final days.

Mom was an advocate and supporter of Fr. Solanus Casey and the Capuchin Monastery which still feeds the hungry in Detroit. She would be pleased for any contributions made to them.

Mass of Christian Burial Will take place Friday, December 17, 11AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Traverse City. Visitation will take place one hour prior to Mass and on Thursday, December 16, 4-6PM, with the Holy Rosary prayed at 5:30 PM, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Rosemary and her family are being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Memories and condolences may be shared on her tribute page, www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com