Obituary of Dawn Mae Newsom

Dawn died at home from ovarian cancer on November 26, 2005. She was born June 29, 1941, in Kodiak, Alaska, to Harold Frederick and Janet (Whalen) MacDonald. Dawn spent her early childhood in Kodiak, moving to Seattle in 1958 to finish high school. She graduated from Roosevelt High in June, 1960, and continued her education at the University of Washington, graduating in December, 1964, with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics. Dawn married Stephen Keith Newsom in Seattle on September 25, 1965. In July 1970, they moved to Olympia, where they lived at the time of her death. Dawn had many achievements. In Kodiak she earned her Curved Bar, the highest award in Girl Scouting. Dawn was the consummate volunteer, helping with UNICEF, AFS, Olympia Junior Programs, and the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Dawn and Keith took some wonderful trips, including Europe in summer 1969, when they picked up a VW microbus at the factory and drove and camped for the next three months. They hit twelve countries stretching from Oslo to Vienna to the Scottish Highlands, driving 11,000 miles and meeting many new friends. Want to see their slides? Another wonderful trip was their small-ship cruise to Southeast Alaska in 2000. Their stay in Tenakee Springs was magical. Dawn is survived by her husband Keith, her brother Roger MacDonald, and Roger’s wife Barbara. In addition, there are several cousins, nieces, and nephews in Washington and California. She is survived by special friends Gaelin Drew, Suzanne Hidde, Karen McSwain, and Emma the therapy dog, Bill and Mary Lindsay, and Dorothy Taylor, all of Olympia; Karen Smith of Lacey; Judy Marsalis of Ballwin, Missouri; and Karl and Jacquie Wandry of Antioch, California. Dawn wants to give a big thank you to the Oncology department at Group Health Olympia, especially Jeff Brostrom and Trish Buker. Also, she gives a special thank you to the staff of Providence SouthHomeCare and Hospice for their care. Dawn was preceded in death by her parents. At her request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.