ANNA UNKOVICH
Anna Unkovich, daughter of Michael and Helen Unkovich, was born in a blizzard on March 5, 1948. That gave her tenacity for life. Survived by husband, Don Dirkse, and three brothers, John (Nadine), Walter, and Sam, nieces Michelle Thompson and Maria McDougall, nephews Michael and Matthew, and now nine great nieces and great nephews. She claims to have had a good life. Her final message to you: How big your heart is, is not measured by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others! Anna was well loved.
Anna died on Aug. 7, 2017 at her home in California, after engaging her will against cancer. She grew up in Alcona County and graduated from Alcona High School (1966). She graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S. in education (1970), and later also attained an M.A. at CMU (1982). She spent 40 years teaching, including at Oscoda High School (1971-3), the majority of her time at Midland Public Schools (1974-2001), as well as college level courses while semi-retired in California. She took on many extracurricular activities, including, head coach for track and field teams, cheerleading, pom-pom, swimming and diving teams, as well as serving on several school, local, and state committees and boards. She wrote a newspaper column in the Midland community entitled, “Classroom with a View.” She also found time to co-author several books related to her education field. She was bestowed with several prestigious awards and beloved by many of her students. A final quote: “I’m passionate about life and about education … and firmly believe that when we teach to the heart, the head will follow.” As per her wish, there will be a celebration of life to be announced at a later date.