Melissa Ann Dulgar

Melissa Ann Dulgar (81) passed away peacefully at home on January 18, 2024, after a long illness. Melissa was born on November 7, 1942 in Belvidere, Illinois and was the oldest child of Allen and Roberta (Griffeth) Dunbar. She graduated from Belvidere High School and studied nursing at Northwestern University, where she was affiliated with Alpha Chi Omega social sorority. She married Curtis R Tobin II on August 17, 1963 at Zion Lutheran Church in Belvidere, IL, and they raised four children together. Melissa graduated from Rock Valley College of Nursing and worked as a neonatal nurse, and then as a public health nurse. She had a passion for helping people, especially babies and children. She later married Jerry Dulgar on September 10, 1993, at the First United Methodist Church in Belvidere. Jerry and Melissa were blessed to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary last year at their home in Oro Valley, Arizona.

Melissa loved to travel. She and Jerry shared many adventures over the years including a cruise in South America and trips to New Zealand, Norway, and Italy. Until recently, Melissa and Jerry split their time between Arizona and Wisconsin to be closer to family. She enjoyed beautiful Midwest summers on the lake and loved spending winters playing golf with her friends in the warm Arizona sun. Melissa was an avid quilter and crafter. She put so much time and love into each quilt, sweatshirt, doll, or decoration that she made. If she made you something by hand, you knew you were loved. She was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain family and friends in both Arizona and Wisconsin. She was known for having an itinerary with a menu of the meals she was going to make each day while company was there. She made sure to make everyone’s favorite meals while they were visiting. That was another way you knew you were loved. Melissa was an active philanthropist throughout her life. While living in Belvidere, she served as a foster parent to numerous children and newborns through Lutheran Social Services and volunteered at Children’s’ Home and Aid of Illinois. She worked for the Boone County Health Department, was an elected member of the Belvidere Park District Board, and was active in Panhellenic. In Arizona, she volunteered with the community food bank, homeless and immigrant assistance programs, and elementary school programs through St. Mark’s Methodist Church.

Melissa will be deeply missed by her beloved husband, Jerry; her siblings Jed Dunbar (Jan) of Oro Valley, AZ, Sara Abromaitis of Bakersfield CA; her children Jo Ann Greenlee of Naples FL, Courtney Tobin (David Kiefer) of Athens GA, Rob Tobin (Patty) of Poplar Grove IL, Becky Tobin (Brian Lee) of Clinton WI, Peter Dulgar (Davinia) of New Zealand, Matt Dulgar of Minneapolis MN, and Luke Dulgar (Helen) of Anoka MN; her grandchildren Tanner Greenlee, Zack Brown, Catie Kiefer, Sam Kiefer, Livia Tobin, Natalia Tobin, Arianna Tobin, Lily Nunno, Kyle Dulgar, and Andi Dulgar ; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and amazing friends. She is preceded in death by her parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday January 27, 2024 at the Catalina Vista Recreation Center, Sun City Oro Valley, AZ from 2-5:00 p.m. A visitation and graveside service will be held in Belvidere, IL at a later date. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois or any foster care organization.