Janet Ann Dunham Kerr

Janet Ann Dunham Kerr passed in comfort and peace on January 4, 2025, in Fairhope, Alabama, where she was flanked by her loyal husband Don, steadfast Roger, and loving sister-in- law Mary.

Born to Ellen Beld Dunham and Lawrence Ezra Dunham whom pre-deceased her, Jan began her life in Howell Michigan in the fall of 1943.

She is survived by her spouse of 58 years Don A. Kerr, brother Roger L. Dunham, niece Chelsea Dunham Cieslinski (Andy), nephew Chris Dunham (Yuka), three grand nieces, Claire, Sadie and Amelia Cieslinski, sister-in-law Mary Brinker, and a fuzzy little terrier, Mitch.

Jan’s education started in a one-room schoolhouse directly across the dirt road from her rural Howell home. A graduate of Howell High School and Western Michigan University (BA, MA), Jan studied the field of education. Following graduation, she was employed by the United States Army where she managed a Service Club at Camp Hovey in South Korea, miles from the Demilitarized Zone. It is where she met her future husband Donald A. Kerr. They married in Howell Michigan March 1967. Teaching high school in Brighton, Michigan occupied the newlywed while her husband served in Vietnam. Once reunited, they lived on several military bases in the States as well as in Thailand. Later the couple settled in Washington D.C. where Don continued serving at the Pentagon while Janet managed a fine-clothing boutique in Alexandria, VA. Don’s work afforded the twosome extensive travel in parts of Europe and the British Islands. Always laden with her camera and binoculars, Jan captured beautiful natural, architectural, and cultural settings near and far; bird photography was her passion. A contrasting move to a small town located in the Leelanau Peninsula in Northern Michigan followed. Together the entrepreneurial couple restored an old farmhouse which soon became a popular B&B, Hillside Bed and Breakfast in Cedar Michigan. Using her prior business experience, she managed the Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association. As a devoted daughter, while living across the country, Janet temporarily relocated to care for her parents in their last weeks, first for her father, and several years later, her mother. Wife, sister, teacher, aunt, friend, and lover of rescue dogs, (especially Border Collies) she valued relationships. Jan was an avid reader, a computer savvy senior, an excellent cook, and a shopper extraordinaire. Her summers were spent on the Great Lakes in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan most of her life which brought her great joy. Twice a Cancer Survivor, her courage and tenacity empowered this stellar woman to share her voice. Unafraid to speak her mind, she held fast to her beliefs. A very special individual, Janet Kerr was a loyal, colorful, valued family member. Lover of chocolate and wine, she enjoyed a meaningful, mindful life. Never afraid of change, Janet and Don happily retired to Fairhope, Alabama where they created a fresh new life connection and contentment together.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

WOLFE-BAYVIEW

FUNERAL HOMES

& CREMATORY, INC.

19698 GREENO RD.

FAIRHOPE AL. 36532

(251) 990-7775

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