Tsahai "Sunny" Dunlap

Sunny was born on November 13, 1945 in Ahfessi, Eritrea, the oldest of eight children to parents, Tsigeweini Cassa and Ghebregziabhr Kahsai. When she was still a teenager, war consumed her homeland. As a young woman, she took a position with Ethiopian Airlines as a stewardess and travelled the world. In her travels, she met the love of her life, James Dunlap, who was a young soldier in the United States Army posted to Ethiopia. Shortly after meeting James, Sunny lost her father. After dating for three years, Sunny and James married in 1970. Sunny and James settled in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and raised a family together.

Though struck by tragedy at a young age, Sunny maintained a positive and optimistic view of life. Sunny was beloved by so many for her positive and loving disposition. She delighted in spending time with her friends and family. She adored her Eritrean culture and was an active member of the Eritrean American community. Sunny fluently spoke several languages and was a delight to all who met her. In her spare time Sunny volunteered with the VA, the Red Cross at Fort Carson, Colorado, and at various hospice organizations providing compassionate support to those gravely ill and at the end of their lives.

Sunny will be remembered by all for her unconditional love, her deep sense of compassion and forgiveness, and her profound religious faith. She brought comfort and joy to so many. For those who knew and loved her, the loss of Sunny is a void that can never be filled. Her family takes comfort in knowing that her abiding faith brings her to a final resting place filled with grace, and surrounded by loved ones who passed before her.

Sunny is survived by husband, James; Daughter, Jessica, grandchildren, Maya; Adam; Sarah; and Michael; great-grandchildren, Richie; Ayanna; and Amara; son, Paul; and siblings, Yonas; Alex; Gabriel; and the youngest, Aklilu, who Sunny and James adopted and raised as their own; and son-in-law, Dean. Sunny was preceded in death by her parents, and by siblings, Testfaldet; Tedros; Berhane; and Askalu.