Melissa Dunn Obituary

Melissa Ann Dunn, 33, passed away December 16. A lover of motorcycles, she re-built a 1970's long fork ironhead Harley, pouring years of work, heart and soul into it. It was her pride and joy. Last month, she rode solo from Durango to North Carolina to visit a dear friend. She was quoted as saying, "My love for motorcycles started in my early teens when I went to my first motorcycle rally. I knew then that I wanted to be a "biker" when I grew up and wanted a Harley...bad."

Melissa was also the 'mother' to Sprocket, a French Bulldog/Boston Terrier mix, whom she found running stray one day while working on a construction site in California. From that moment on, they were an inseparable pair. They were regulars at the Durango Dog Park and Melissa even took him for rides on her motorcycle, using a baby carrier to hold him. He even had his own 'doggles' to protect his eyes. Sprocket even floated the Animas river with Melissa and friends, wearing his own life jacket and booties.

To many of her friends she was a kindred spirit, a long-lost sister. Her friendship left a lasting impact on many around her. Her infectious smile and warm personality instantly drew people to her. Those closest to her are broken-hearted, but will cherish the light Melissa brought into their lives, and remember her wicked sense of humor. She leaves behind her boyfriend, John William Dunn (no relation), with whom she had a wonderful, loving relationship and spent the summer guiding river trips through the Grand Canyon together.

Melissa was a Paul Mitchell Academy graduate and licensed hair stylist, working at her mother's salon, Plaza Hair & Nail. Recently, she also worked at Ska Brewing and bartended at ColoradoPongas.

"Mel," "Melsquisha," "Uncle Mel," "Snuggle Bunny," teller of great jokes, bearer of many tattoos, Melissa Dunn will be missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind her mother, Barbara Dunn, father, John Dunn, sisters Katie Dunn, and Sarah Rogers; Grandmother Mary Jane Hood; a niece and a nephew.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a donation to her memorial fund which will be used to construct a bench at Durango Dog Park. Donations can be sent to the Memorial Fund for Melissa Dunn c/o Barbara Dunn at Bank of the San Juans, 144 E. 8th St., Durango, CO 81301. Ska Brewing will brew a special, limited-release beer in Melissa's honor. Sales from the beer will also be donated to the memorial fund.

A celebration of Melissa's life will be held January 3, 2015, 2pm, at ColoradoPongas, 121 W. 8th St., Durango. A small, graveside service will be held for the family at Greenmount Cemetery at 2pm on Dec. 23, 2014.