Phathana Dunn

After a two and a half year battle with cancer, Phathana Dunn, 76, of Las Vegas Nevada, died in the comfort of her homewith her son Alan and his wife Leena by her side.

Phathana “Pat” was loved by many for her incredible spirit, generous heart and fearless honesty.  Her family meant the world to her. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy.  She was so proud of her son Alan Dunn of Los Angeles and daughter Melanie Horton of Frisco, Texas. Her favorite moments were spent watching her grandsons, Tate and Nash play basketball, football and lacrosse and her granddaughters, Yasmine and identical twins Emmanuelle and Farah play the piano, play softball or perform ballet.  

Sharing a meal brought Pat a tremendous amount of joy.  She would cook with love and share her cooking with family and co-workers.  When she made her Thai chicken wings, sticky rice or spicy minced chicken, she made plenty to share and often brought dishes to share at work. Pat was an employee of Boulder Station Casino since it’s opening, 27 years ago.  Her work colleagues were her second family and they played a major role in supporting her throughout her illness.  Pat insisted on continuing to work after her diagnosis and always said that her work was keeping her alive.  

Pat and her family owe a debt of gratitude to the amazing doctors and their staff who treated her over the years.  Dr. Gollard her oncologist and Dr. Lewis the surgeon who restored her quality of life were like family.  

Phathana was born in Thailand and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1968 to attend college.  She would visit Thailand periodically, but no trip back to her homeland was more meaningful than the one she took in January 2018 with her son and daughter. It was the first time in over 30 years they had been to Thailand as a family and together they enjoyedcatching up with relatives and sharing quality moments as a mother with her children.  

Phathana was preceded in death by her parents Amphorn & Sunan Tanapat, sister Ang Yamgleep, brother PhatpongTanapat, and Yodchai Tanapat.  She is survived by her daughter Melanie Horton and husband Jace of Frisco Texas, grandsons Tate and Nash; her son Alan Dunn and wife Leena of Los Angeles, California and granddaughters Yasmine, Emmanuelle and Farah; brother Ad Dhanaphathana, sisterPhot Tanapat & husband Aram, brother Sak Tanapat, brother Kris and his wife Sun Tanapat and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of Phathana’s life will be held on Friday September 21st at 9:30am at the Pasta Cucina restaurant in Boulder Station.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to Phatana’s favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

www.stjude.org/donate