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Kelsey Dunnack, 36, of Mansfield Center, was a well-loved waitress at That Breakfast Place in Willimantic, where she worked alongside her teenage daughter. She passed away on Wednesday, March 12, though details of her death have not been released.
Her funeral service is scheduled for Monday at First Congregational Church, located at 199 Valley St. in Willimantic. Doors open at noon, and services begin at 1 p.m., according to her obituary.
Dozens of people have shared heartfelt tributes to Dunnack online, many remembering her contagious laugh and easy sense of humor.
Larry Pehowdy wrote on a memorial wall that Dunnack's many friends would ensure her daughter, Natalie, was well cared for.
"Kelsey, you brought so much joy and happiness to this world. You made people smile when they were sad just by being there. Kelsey, you were a great mother, daughter, and friend. ... Wells Beach, Maine, last summer will live forever in my mind, as you had our group laughing hysterically while taking a long, late-night stroll down the beach."
That Breakfast Place has launched a fundraiser to support Dunnack’s family. The Willimantic restaurant shared a photo of a donation jar overflowing with cash.
As of Thursday evening, it was unclear how much had been raised.
These donations serve as a powerful testament to how much Dunnack meant to her community and those who loved her.
"A woman who always wore her heart on her sleeve, gave you the purest smile and hugs," Brittany Gonzalez posted on Facebook alongside a series of photos. "She always brought so much compassion, warmth, kindness, and laughter into every room she entered—no matter what! She never stopped being her authentic self and had such an amazing sense of humor. A wonderful mother, friend, and human being, she made everyone around her feel important and loved. I will never forget working with you and how you always made someone laugh when they needed it most."
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