Zora Ann Walsh (Dean), 83, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2025.
Born in Alma, Michigan, on October 2, 1941, to Edna Feltman and Walt Dean, Zora lived a life of remarkable love, strength, and dedication.
A graduate of Central Michigan University, Zora was a proud member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, where she was nominated for Homecoming Queen. It was at CMU where she met John Howard Walsh Sr., and together they had five wonderful children: John, Bob, Dave, Sue, and Joe (who passed from cancer in 2012).
Zora was a dedicated and loving stay-at-home mother who tirelessly supported her children’s education, from volunteering in classrooms to bringing cocoa to bus stops and contributing to the PTA. Even after her divorce, Zora continued to show the world the strength of a fiercely independent woman. Through her hard work, dedication, and warm personality, she not only raised her children but also built a fulfilling career. She worked in various administrative roles throughout her life, with a significant portion of her career spent at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort.
Anyone who had the privilege of working with Zora was blessed to know her kind heart and felt truly seen and valued in her presence. Zora believed deeply in the importance of community and the power of giving back. She was a proud breast cancer survivor of over 25 years, and her personal experience inspired a lifetime of service to others. She spent more than 25 years as an active volunteer with Community Cancer Services of Isabella County, where she played an integral role in organizing the Into the Light Cancer Walk. Zora’s contributions were recognized through several awards, including the Live United Award, the Shirley M. Decker Eagle Award from the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Suzanne Courser Love and Compassion Award, which will be given annually to someone who embodies the love and compassion that Zora lived by.
Zora is survived by her four children: John, Bob, Dave, and Sue; six grandchildren: Chris, Kimmy, Desirea, Joelle, Max, and Maya; and thirteen great-grandchildren: Abby, Cannon, Ava, Landon, Ethan, Arya, Myles, Madden, Jude, Beatrice, Enzo, Caspian, and Zora.
She was preceded in death by both her parents; her son Joe; and her siblings Paulette Schieber, Florence Scott, and Ron Dean.
Zora was a woman whose kindness made others love themselves, and whose unwavering belief in the power of community and personal responsibility was a guiding force throughout her life. Her legacy is one of love, community, and courage—a testament to a life well lived and a heart that touched everyone she met.
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, April 3rd from 6-8 PM with a 7 PM Prayer Vigil at St Vincent De Paul Church in Shepherd, MI. Her funeral mass will be held on Friday, April 4th at 11 AM with visitation beginning at 10 AM at St Vincent De Paul Church in Shepherd, MI.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to Community Cancer Services of Isabella County.
Zora’s spirit will live on in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know her, and her influence on the lives she touched will never be forgotten. May her soul find peace in Heaven surrounded by family and friends with an ice cream in her hand.
