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Dawn Seymour Obituary
South Bristol: July 18, 2017, peacefully at home, overlooking Canandaigua Lake, at age 100. She is survived by five children, Bill Balden, Sam Seymour, Elizabeth (Rob) Merrill, Margie (Mike) Morse and Amy (Kevin) Moran; eight grandchildren, R.J. (Amanda), Yvonne and Charles Merrill, Bow (Ally), Fred (Libby) and Emma Morse, James and Merritt Moran; great-granddaughter, Finley Dawn Morse; two sisters, Dorothy Finerty and Phyllis (Peter) Poulous; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husbands, William Balden in 1946 and Mort Seymour in 2003; and four siblings, Joan Parker, Frank and Richard Rochow and Ruth Debevoise. Dawn was born in Rochester. She earned a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1939. Dawn was a US Army Air Corps veteran of WWII and was a B-17 pilot in the WASP Program. She received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2010, for her wartime service.
A memorial service to celebrate her life, will be held Monday, July 24, at 4:30 pm, at Third Presbyterian Church, corner of Meigs St. & East Ave., Rochester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National WASP WWII Museum, P.O. Box 456, Sweetwater, TX 79556. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., Canandaigua. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dawn Seymour
Sponsored by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc. - Canandaigua.
Angie Slingluff
July 14, 2022
It was a privilege ad an honor to meet and spend time with Dawn at Oshkosh. She is treasured in my memory.
Angie Slingluff
July 14, 2019
I met Dawn at Oshkosh and spent a delightful your with her in the Appleton, WI Airport. Thank you for your service, Dawn, and your memory.
Deborah Witte
January 2, 2018
I met this super cool lady on 3/2/17. What an unexpected inspiration! Amy, I Thank you always, for sharing your Mom with me on that day as I researched my Rochow heritage.
What a wonderful incredible role model for women especially and everyone really - for how she lived!
I relayed my story of meeting Dawn and her rich accomplishments to my family. In that way Dawn's spirit has touched all the Rochow women in my family and will always live in our hearts as a bold spark of bravery, daring and confidence.
God bless all her family and friends.
Love 2U from Rochow Angus Ranch.
Kelly Davis
August 15, 2017
Kelly Davis
August 15, 2017
Kelly Davis
August 15, 2017
July 2, 2011
Joseph Friedman
July 24, 2017
Dear Sam, Wiz, Margie, Bill and the rest of Aunt Dawn's clan,
Shenly told me that Aunt Dawn has passed away peacefully at her home last week. Sadly, I am unable to attend the memorial service today.
Dawn has been a source of inspiration to me ever since we met in 2010. When I think of her, one image that comes to mind is how, at the age of 94, she giggled with delight as we pulled a few G's in my airplane in the skies above Canandaigua Lake with Sam in tow (see photos below). The following year, Shenly and I visited Aunt Dawn and Aunt Dot in Claremont and it was so wonderful to see the two ladies rocking in their chairs with their Kindle readers, their eyes sparkling as they were keeping up with the times and being curious about everything, their crystal-clear, sharp minds defying their slowly failing bodies.
I was happy that Dawn (together with Sam and Wiz) chose to stay at my place when they visited New York in 2012. My son Tommy still has the pilot teddybear you all left for him.
Dawn wrote to me a few times over the years, commenting on photos and videos I shared with her. I was always impressed and inspired with how much thought she put into even a simple, short e-mail. She put her heart and generosity into all tasks, big and small.
Farewall, Aunt Dawn, as you Go West. I will never forget you. C A V U
-yossi
Angie Slingluff
July 23, 2017
I had the privilege of spending an hour or two with Dawn at the Airport in Appleton WI while waiting for our flights. She was an amazing woman, so gracious and kind. Thank you, Dawn, for your service to our country! Blue skies and tailwinds!
Dorothy and Diane Wilkins
July 22, 2017
Our heartfelt sympathy to Dawn's family. We were both very proud to have called this amazing woman our friend for 30 years, and she will remain in our hearts forever.
KRISTA Morisen
July 21, 2017
My sincerest condolences to truly one of the pioneers of Women's aviation. May she always have blue skies and tailwinds and may her new wings take her to new heights!
JUDY & DAVE MONAHAN
July 21, 2017
Sam and family,
We were so fortunate to have known your Mom. She was one remarkable lady who always welcomed us with open arms.
Our sincere condolences go out to you.
Marjy Leggett
July 20, 2017
I had the privilege of meeting Dawn for the first time this May at the New York-New Jersey Ninety-Nines Section meeting in Penn Yan, NY. Such an impressive lady! She smiled with animated delight when she was presented a cake made especially for her with a picture of the bomber she flew during WWII. We owe our heritage to courageous women like her. Losing Dawn Seymour is losing a piece or our history. It is a sad day.
Ninety-Nines International Director
Captain Alex Mello
July 20, 2017
Sunday afternoon ended the annual Geneseo airshow. On departure, the crew and I intercepted the northern bank of Lake Canandaigua and followed it south past Mrs. Seymour's residence in order to pay tribute to this wonderful woman. With our prayers, we hope she heard us go by.
Our sincere condolences to family and friends.
"The Tinker Belle" and Crew
1944 Curtiss Wright C-46 "Commando"
Jack Hancovsky
July 20, 2017
Dawn's life epitomizes both courage and durability, a humanist and patriot, combined.............
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
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Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc. - Canandaigua47 N. Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424
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