Angelica K. Dunlap

Angelica K. Dunlap, age 80, of Traverse City, Michigan, (formerly of Palos Park, Illinois), passed away on Friday, July 21, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family. "Angie" was born on March 10, 1943, in Waco, Texas to the late George and Katherine (Pappas) Kouvas.

She was the youngest of two children. Angelica lived in Waco, Texas until the death of her father at age 7. She moved to Chicago, Illinois with her mother and sister, Bess in 1950. She was raised by her mother on the Chicago northside. Her childhood was shaped by Greek culture. Thanks to the Greek Orthodox Church, the teachings of her mother and Greek school, Angie achieved fluent command of the Greek language. This was to pay dividends later in life during trips to Greece. Eventually she married and had two children, Dion and Denysia - both died tragically. She married the love of her life, Roger on February 2, 1974. Subsequently, she earned her high school equivalency followed by an associate degree in respiratory therapy from Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills, Illinois. She enjoyed a highly satisfying career principally at Oak Lawn hospital, Oak Lawn, Illinois and as a respiratory home care provider in south suburban Chicago. She won the love, admiration and respect of her peers and patients alike.

Her beauty was almost beyond compare. She resembled a Greek Goddess you often think of in ancient Greek mythology. More importantly however, was her inner beauty which affected the people she encountered throughout her life. Angie always took great pride in her appearance but was not "consumed" by it. Angie always put other people first. She loved talking to people and took pleasure in mentoring the less fortunate. Watching TV was one of her favorite passions with a peculiar interest in, of all things: "horror movies". She loved popular music by Frank Sinatra, rock music by Elvis Presley and mixed genres by Neil Diamond. In later years, she was a particular devotee of the Neil Diamond imitator, "Neil Zirconia" who "stole the hearts" of many women all over central and southern Florida. Attending one of his concerts every year was an absolute "must". You could find her exhorting other women dinner guests out onto the floor to the tune: "Sweet Caroline".

Angie had a "soft spot" for animals particularly dogs, Alpacas and chipmunks. She absolutely loved her Bichon Frise dogs – "Chaos" and "Munchkin". In her free time, Angie would enjoy various forms of creative artwork including "diamond art".

One of the highlights later in life was to visit and forge closer ties with her relatives in Athens and Kalavryta, Greece. Another highlight was a Caribbean cruise of a lifetime which she shared with Roger. She took great pleasure in watching her two grandchildren, Karl and Stephanie, grow up to become highly productive figures in the field of Photography and Banking. Ultimately, she lived to enjoy her two great grandchildren, Teddy and Brooks.

She was an early and continual supporter of the Archangel Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church which is now a magnificent edifice housing a rapidly expanding congregation in Williamsburg close to Traverse City, Michigan. During the last 13 years of her life, Angie loved overwintering in Naples, FL. She developed close bonds with people of diverse backgrounds. She also volunteered at a resale shop benefiting "battered women" called Options Thrift Shoppe. The experience she treasured above all else however, was retirement years spent at the family home situated on Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan. This is a place where pine-scented woods and colorful lake waters meet - in a word: "Paradise". Her beloved home named Pharos (Greek for lighthouse) ultimately became the "launch pad" for her ascent into Heaven.

May her memory be eternal.

Angie is survived by her loving husband of forty-nine years: Roger, her sister, Bess G. Davis; her niece, Katherine (husband Don) two nieces, Lexi and Amelia and nephew, Michael; two grandchildren: Stephanie N. Rouwhorst and Karl R. Rouwhorst together with two great grandchildren (Teddy and Brooks).
She was preceded in death by her parents and two children: Denysia and Dion.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the caring staff of Munson Hospice and Sunrise Comfort Services for their care and compassion for Angie.

A memorial service honoring Angie will take place at 3:00 p.m., with visitation starting at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Father Ciprian Streza will officiate. A reception at the funeral home will follow the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial donation to the Archangel Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund, the Cherryland Humane Society and/or the American Cancer Society.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Angie's family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .