Farewell Toots Dunn

TOOTS Dunn lived a joyous and creative life on her own terms

FAREWELL: Toots Dunn will be missed. Picture: Contributed

TOOTS Dunn danced off life's stage last week on her own terms and in her own good time.

Known and loved throughout the Byron Bay community, Elspeth Barbara "Toots” Dunn passed away peacefully after a long illness.

She leaves behind Noel, her husband of 65 years this April. She was the mother and mother-in-law to Michelle and Butch, Kelven and Robyn, grandmother of four and great-grandmother of three.

"We were all just just so proud of everything she achieved, she was just so multi-talented,” daughters Michelle and Robyn agreed this week.

Not only was Toots a loving family member, she was a talented seamstress, a dance teacher, and keyboardist and singer with the legendary Golden Tones.

ON THE KEYS: Toots Dunn in her music heyday with the Golden Tones. Picture: Contributed

"The Golden Tones played 50/50 dance music and had a huge following playing at the Mullum RSL and up the coast,” Robyn said.

"There was always music and dance in our family and up until a few years ago Mum was still entertaining residents in the nursing homes around the area.

Ten years Toots founded the Byron Belles teaching older Byron locals the fine art of tap dancing.

Byron Belles group of Judy Harvey (Bangalow), Julia Franco (Broken Head), Nancy Sleep (Bangalow), Carol Mackenzie (Byron Bay), Toots Dunn (Byron Bay), Becky Jagtenberg (Nimbin) and Maureen Challender (Kingscliff). Picture: Christian Morrow

Born in 1935 and educated at St Finbarrs and Ballina High School, she was brought up by her grandparents. Toots was the nickname given to her by her grandfather.

"Mum would always walk on her tiptoes and was always dancing so her grandfather nicknamed her Tootsie,” Robyn said.

"She loved her family and close friends and was always wanting to give.

"Mum loved meeting up with friends at the old Northern Hotel, where they had a big table, and also at the bowling club.

"Religion was very important to her and she was a special minister of the Catholic Church in Byron Bay.”

Both Toots and Noel were die-hard Byron Bay locals, who "never for a minute thought of living anywhere else.”

"Mum lived life on her terms and she went out on her terms,” Robyn said.

"She had been on dialysis for around 10 years. She knew she was very sick and her time was near and was was lucky to be able to choose when to go.”

Farewell Toots, the Bay will miss you.