Veronica “Ronnie” J. Dunlap, 70

Veronica “Ronnie” J. Dunlap, 70, fought the good fight against ovarian cancer and passed away peacefully after 11 years at her home in Belvidere, Ill. on Tuesday, Dec. 6.  Born in Abusir, Egypt on June 26, 1946; one of five siblings to Earnest George Hemsworth and Linda Ferres.

She came to Nottingham, England in 1963 where she found work as a hairdresser at the Hollywood Salon where she worked with Dee Newbold who was to become a lifelong friend. Ronnie even became a model for a competition that Dee entered – and won. Ronnie initially lived in the back of a retail store before moving in with Dee at Dee’s mother’s house, further cementing that lifelong friendship.

Ronnie long had a desire to go to the United States, so she worked long hours at the salon and part time at a pub to build her savings.

To save further, she hitchhiked to visit her family in Shropshire.  Dee, and her future husband Cliff, helped Ronnie with her emigration paperwork, and in 1966 approval came. She relocated to Maryland in 1967 where she went to work at a hairdressing salon.

In fact, Ronnie was a hairstylist for some 42 years.  Dee, on behalf of herself and her husband, said of her friend of 54 years, “She will remain in our hearts and minds forever. A very special lady.”

Ronnie met Ward Wayne Dunlap in June 1967 in Washington, D.C., and they were wed on Aug. 19, 1967 in Chula Vista, Calif., just prior to Wayne’s deployment to Vietnam.

Their first child, Dominic was born while Wayne was overseas. Wayne returned to the states in 1969, and the family settled in Cockeysville, Md. A second son, Stephan was born in 1975.

A job offer for Wayne caused the family to relocate to Elmhurst, Ill., also in 1975.

Ronnie became involved in several community organizations including the Elmhurst Garden Club.

Another job opportunity for Wayne, this time with the Illinois Department of Employment Security, caused the move to Belvidere in 2002.

Over the years, Ronnie was active in the Belvidere Garden Club, the YWCA, the Rockford Rescue Mission, Harvest Bible Chapel of Rockford, and organizations involved in helping individuals and families deal with ovarian cancer challenges. She was a cancer survivor for 10 years before the most recent recurrence in 2015.

Also in Belvidere, the Dunlaps hosted a number of missionaries and Christian gospel singing groups. They also opened their home to Bible study groups and other church ministries. Her husband described his wife of 49 years as “compassionate, caring, generous, loving, kind, and having the gift of hospitality. She always put others before herself. She was very giving and thoughtful.”

In addition to her husband and sons, Ronnie is survived by her sisters, Liz and Rita and a brother, Patrick, all from the United Kingdom; a foster son, Richard Scholefield; and nine grandchildren – Cole, Gillian, Amber, Haley, Austin, Sequia, Sierra, Masson, and Delia.  She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Christopher.

She loved to live life, and touched many people’s lives.

Please join us in a celebration of her life at Harvest Bible Chapel, at 5501 Windsor Road in Loves Park on Friday, Dec. 16. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by a remembrance service at 7 p.m. with Pastor John Dirkse officiating.

If you wish to donate in lieu of flowers, please donate to: Save Families of Illinois for Children, 223 South Winnebago St., Rockford, IL 61104.

Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory is honored to assist the family.  To express condolences, visit honquestfh.com.