Dawn Nunez

Dawn Nunez, 72, of Woodland Hills, passed from this life into eternity on October 1, 2013 at her home, surrounded by family and friends. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and "Lola" to all. She was the wife of the late Dr. Albino Nunez. She is survived by her children, Laurie Hollins (Greg) and their children, Forrest, Zachary, and Leah; Donell Busroe (Fred) and their children, Hannah and Noah; and Dr. Matt Nunez (Brandee) and their children, Lauren, Campbell, Ava, and Matthew, all of Harlan; her sister, Harriet (Donald) Kellams, and her brother, Dickie (Sis) Segura, and step-father, Ned Myers, all of New Iberia, Louisiana. She had a loving group of caregivers including Lawana Howard, June Clem, Carla McKendrick, Beth Denniston, Susie Maggard, Sharon Madewell, Jessica Thomas, and Linda Fisher. She was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Since moving to Harlan in 1971, Dawn played an active role in many community organizations and activities. She was member of the Harlan County Chamber of Commerce, the Humane Society, the Daniel Boone Clinic Women's Auxiliary, the Harlan County Community Scholarship Board, the HARH Advisory Board, the Miss Harlan County Homecoming Pageant Committee, and the Board of Directors of Mountain Heritage Hospice. She received numerous awards for community service including being named as the "Harlan Countian of the Year", the " Outstanding Appalachian Woman of the Year", "First Lady of Harlan County", and she was a "Harlan Boys Choir Hall of Fame" member. She received the "Mission Award" from the Diocese of Lexington.

She was a founder of the "County-Wide Way of the Cross" Easter celebration, the annual Holy Trinity Mardi Gras party, and she was a charter member of the "Higher Ground" theater group. Many will remember her as being "Mrs. Claus" in the annual Harlan County Christmas parade.

She worked as a volunteer school nurse and as a Nurse Aide Instructor at the Harlan Vocation School. In addition, she was an avid fund-raiser for the Harlan Musettes, the Harlan Boys Choir, the Harlan Band, and Holy Trinity School.

She was known for her warm smile, kind words, Cajun cooking, exuberant laughter, and funny jokes. She was most proud of her roles as mother and "Lola" which means "grandmother" in the Philippines. The fact that all of her children returned to Harlan to make their home was a great source of joy for her.

Harlan County lost a great advocate, strong leader, and vocal supporter with her passing. She loved Harlan County and its people and she was passionate about everything in our community. She knew that this was a special place and she was honored to raise her family here.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 5 to 8:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church.

The funeral mass will be held on Friday, Oct. 4 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church with Father T. Mani George, MC officiating.

Internment will follow in the Resthaven Cemetery with Dickie Segura, Donald Kellams, Don Parsons, Scott Parsons, Fred Busroe, and Greg Hollins serving as Pallbearers. Honorary pall bearers will be her grandsons, Forrest and Zachary Hollins, Noah Busroe, Matthew Nunez, family friends, Butch Clem and Mike LeMaster.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials to: The Harlan Musettes, P.O. Box 1711, Harlan, KY, 40831; the Harlan Band, ℅ Laurie Hollins, 522 N. Main St., Harlan, KY, 40831; or the Harlan Boys Basketball team, ℅ David Parks, P.O. Box 1469, Harlan, KY, 40831.

Condolences to www.aljfh.com or www.harlanobits.net

Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Nunez Family.