Dawn Mecklenborg

Pamela Dawn Mecklenborg, a longtime resident of Highland, MI, died peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, August 9, 2025 surrounded by family. She was 72 years old.

Dawn was born on May 25, 1953, and was raised in Detroit with her five siblings. Her parents owned a cottage on Duck Lake, where she spent her summers in Highland. She graduated from Denby High School in 1971 and went on to work at the Detroit Edison Foundation.

Dawn spent the last 30 years working in various civil service roles. She served as Deputy Clerk for Highland Township and worked at the 52-1 District Court. She enjoyed working with the public, but most of all, cherished the friendships she made at both places. She was involved with the Highland Township Library Board for many years, serving as President, and was a devoted parishioner at Holy Spirit. She lived in Axford Acres for most of her adult life.

Dawn treasured her relationships. With her children, Kristen and Jimmy, still living in the area, she was able to remain closely involved in their lives. She met her husband, Paul, in 2001 through mutual friends, and they have been happily married since 2003. Together, they shared 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, with whom they spent much quality time. Dawn attended all of her grandchildren's sporting events and loved celebrating milestones together. She created homemade, heartfelt gifts and always prepared her family's favorite meals to share together. She loved to laugh and had a curiosity for learning new things, anything from cryptocurrency to a knitting pattern. She maintained close bonds with her siblings, extending her circle of love to include many nieces and nephews. Family was everything to Dawn, and she was blessed with a close-knit one that camped together, crafted together, shopped together, and celebrated together. She had a joyfulness for life and was a person who lived well - with integrity, gratitude, humor, faith, and, above all, love.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Paul; her sweet puppy, Aggie; her loving children Kristen (Brandon) Brown and Jim Hurst; Colleen (Mark) Emerick, Kristen (Travis) Cota, Cassandra (Todd) Balok, and Keith (Heather) Mecklenborg; her dear grandchildren, Taryn (Nick), Kathryn (Corey), Austin, Owen, Jonathon, Matthew, Spencer (Erika), Linden, Ava, Aidan, Ian, Christian, and Logan; and her precious great-grandchildren, Emery, Lincoln, Eloise, and Lilah. She is also survived by her siblings, Pat Dopierala, Terry (Maureen) Carr, Jim Carr, Diane Carr, and Anita Carr, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Percy and Agnes Carr; brothers Bill Carr and Danny Carr; and brother-in-law Don Dopierala.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged in Dawn's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please see the link below for mailing address and online donations.

Visitation will be at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 East Liberty, Milford on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from 3:00PM-8:00PM. Rosary service to begin at 7:00PM.

Funeral Liturgy from the Church of the Holy Spirit, 3700 North Harvey Lake Rd., Highland, MI, Thursday, August 14, 2025 beginning at 11:00AM. Family and friends may gather at the church beginning at 10:00AM. Burial to follow in Highland Cemetery.

For further information, please contact Lynch & Sons, Milford at 248-684-6645.