Search Results

Dawson -- Dorothy Elizabeth Sharman Dawson, 95, a resident of Albuquerque for 19 years, died Tuesday, December 21, 1999. She is survived by her daughter, Martha D. King and husband, James C. of Albuquerque; son, Joseph Sharman Dawson and wife, Valerie of Boca Raton, FL; sister, Helen Shaw of Baltimore, MD; grandchildren, Elizabeth Ettema and husband, Dale, Kathleen Minor and husband, Thomas, Helen Barley and husband, Michael, Robert King and wife, Susan, Mary Dean and husband, James, Joseph Dawson Jr., Michael Dawson, Jennifer Dawson and Suzanne Halstead and husband, Mark; nine great-grandchildren; an also her kind caring friend, Emma. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Joseph F. Dawson; and her brothers, James W. Sharman and Leonard M. Sharman. She was raised in Louisiana and also in Texas. At the age of 19, she went to Havana, Cuba, to live with her aunts and held a job at the National City Bank of New York. It was there that she met her future husband. Her two children, Martha and Joseph were born in Havana. Later, her husband, Joseph Dawson, became resident Vice-President of the same bank in Santiago, Chile, where they lived for over twenty years. Her role as hostess in support of her husband's position demanded that she entertain visiting celebrities, as well as local and world-renowned foreign dignitaries. Particularly rewarding were her philanthropic activities such as treasurer of the local chapter of the American Red Cross, during WWII and American sponsored relief organizations, relating to the care of the poor and needy. Upon returning to the States in 1958, she became active in various volunteer jobs in New York City, where her husband became Vice-President of National City Bank in charge of the Citibanks located throughout the West Coast of South America. During this period, she became a member of the Embroiderer's Guild. In 1964, Mr. Dawson retired and they moved to Asheville, NC. Their ill health drew them to Albuquerque in 1980, to be near their daughter, Martha. Several years later, following her husband's death in 1981, she moved to La Vida Llena where she enjoyed the company of many friends there until advancing infirmities required the attention provided by the Health Care Center. Dorothy was an excellent bridge player and a talented embroiderer/quilt maker. She loved her family dearly and will be greatly missed by those who have known her, both relatives near and far and friends, alike. Her many stories and experiences, which she recalled with amazing clarity, will forever remain in the memories of those she touched. Services will be held Tuesday, December 28, at 2:00 p.m., at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral, 318 Silver Avenue SW, with The Very Reverend John B. Haverland officiating. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Johns' Episcopal Cathedral, 318 Silver Avenue SW, 87102 or to the Habitat for Humanity, 3501 Campus Blvd. NE, 87106. French Mortuary, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE.
        Published on: Sun December 26, 1999