Cris Dunakin
1952 – 2024
My beloved wife of 40 years has passed away yesterday after a long decline due to kidney failure.
Cris was the sweetest, kindest, most generous and loving person I’ve ever known. She loved children and “spoiled” the neighborhood kids with presents at every opportunity. For the past 30 years she made it an annual tradition to deliver a carload of new toys to the Salvation Army toy drive on our anniversary. And for over 50 years she helped support Native American children through Children Inc. And for a few years she was a volunteer at Children’s Hospital.
She was always thinking of others. Several years ago following treatment for breast cancer, she began taking early morning walks. She thought how nice it would be if people didn’t have to go out to their driveways to pick up the newspaper, so she started moving some of the neighbors’ newspapers to their doorsteps. She continued this habit until her health declined and she became too unsteady.
She had an innocent and childlike spirit. She collected over 5000 teddy bears, as well as many dolls and other toys. She had little interest in expensive or pretentious things, but took joy in silly, simple things.
Cris endured numerous afflictions throughout her life, including bipolar disorder and anxiety, and various physical ailments. Despite this, she remained a bright light who was loved by all who knew her. I wish more people could have known her, but her health issues made it difficult to maintain a social life.
She was my joy, my angel, the beauty and center of my life. She gave me a home, a family, and a purpose. She was my best friend, my biggest fan and cheerleader, who thought that everything I did was amazing. I was truly blessed and honored to spend forty years of my life loving and caring for someone so special. I was at her side and holding her hand as she took her last breath.
The world is a much sadder place without her.
