Mary Delores Dawson, 95
Dawson
Mary Delores Dawson, 95, went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of Sept. 10, 2024. Born on June 20, 1929, to Gertrude (Groves) and Earl Dawson, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Mary was one of nine children. Mary is survived by her brother Jim Dawson (Spokane), and two sisters-in-law, JoAnn (brother Joe, Spokane Valley), and Margaret (brother Bob, Georgia).
Mary attended IHM Academy, Coeur d’Alene, graduating in 1947. After graduation, she worked for Kootenai County as a records clerk. She remained in Cd’A until 1960, when she accepted a Customer Service Representative position with Washington Water Power Co. (now Avista) in Spokane, Wash. Mary retired from WWP after 27 years of service. She became a part of WWP’s Trailblazers and Retiree Association.
After her retirement, Mary donated a great deal of her time to community service. She volunteered countless hours to hospital work, the Union Gospel Mission, Hospice of Spokane, St. Anthonys Parish and Alter Society, and St. Jude’s Guild.
Mary enjoyed sports, both as a player and as a spectator. She was an accomplished downhill skier, bowler and golfer. Growing up, she spent many hours swimming, fishing, and ice skating on Coeur d’Alene and Fernan Lakes in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Mary was an avid fan of tennis, Gonzaga Bulldogs, and both the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks.
Mary traveled extensively to Europe, Canada and Mexico, as well as visiting 45 of the 50 United States. She enjoyed mining semi-precious stones on her property in Montana, She would also cut and polish the stones and then set them in jewelry she designed.
Mary moved into Broadway Court Estates in Spokane Valley in 2015. She was very active there, participating in activities (she was a master at Wii bowling), going on outings, and building and enjoying many dear friendships.
One of the most beautiful aspects of Mary’s life was that even though she never had children of her own, she was a second mother to, and dearly loved by, four generations of nieces and nephews. Mary was a kind, loving, and generous woman who was always there when someone needed her. She was deeply loved and respected by her family and friends and will be greatly missed.
A Funeral Mass, with a reception to follow, will be held Oct. 5, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Otis Orchards, Wash. A rosary will precede the mass at approximately 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 4521 N. Arden Road, Otis Orchards, WA 99027.