Loretta Ann 'Lori' Sweet

Loretta “Lori” Ann Sweet, age 73, of Cortez, CO, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2022, surrounded by family and holding the hands of her husband, two children, and son-in-law. A pioneer in holistic health and a lifelong artist, her boundless energy will be truly missed.
Lori was born November 6, 1948, in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she graduated high school from Mt. Mercy Academy in 1966 as a member of the honor society and having won many awards. She next attended the University of Southern California on a $6,000 scholarship through Junior Achievement. The JA announcement program wrote “Business Will Be Your Future” above her acceptance photo. This foretold of both her art and health careers after she earned her BFA from USC and a Master in Fine Arts Degree from Michigan State University.
While living in Davenport, Iowa with her first husband, Tom, she had two children, Bevin and Nathan. Lori inherited a whole pottery studio of equipment from her late mother-in-law, Martha Stewart, and began creating artwork for sale. The family later moved to Hastings, Michigan where she continued making her pottery and opened a downtown gallery and gift shop called "The Riverbottom."
After her young son, Nathan, was treated for leukemia starting at age 8, Lori closed her shop and searched for ways to keep him healthy after his remission. This led to a nearly 30-year career in holistic health using sound and light technologies, and to her starting a new company, Arcturus Star Products. After marrying her second husband, Steve Sweet, the couple moved to a dream location for Lori, Cortez, Colorado. The company and couple thrived in the Southwest, and their therapeutic devices went on to help thousands of people.
Through her groundbreaking technologies and beautiful artworks, Lori leaves a legacy that will live on. She made her dreams and goals in life a reality, while never fearing to be a pioneer of new ideas. She continued to create jewelry, drawings, and paintings her whole life. She touched so many lives, and with a large family and even larger group of colleagues and friends, her loss is deeply felt.
Lori was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Dolores “Dolly” Malec; and her first husband, Thomas E. Dunn. Lori is survived by her devoted husband of 24 years, Steve Sweet; her daughter, Bevin Dunn (Stephen Cowen); her son, Nathan Dunn; and six siblings, Monica (Don) Kimball, Mark (Sue) Malec, Chris (Kate) Malec, Jeff (Denise) Malec, Nick (Judie) Malec, and Angie (Bruce) Towne; four nieces; eight nephews; and many great nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life, followed by a lunch, will be held June 4, 2022, 1 p.m., at Eastern Avenue Hall, 506 Eastern Ave. NE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to her daughter’s non-profit - The Temwani Children’s Foundation. https://www.temwani.org/help/donate.htm