Betty Dawson

DAWSON, Betty Bridges, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2009 in McLean, Virginia. She was 90 years old. Born in 1919 in Norton, Kansas, Betty graduated from the University of Kansas and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She played the French horn in the University orchestra. She was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy in 1943 following the death of her first husband, Lawrence Stoland, who died in the service of his country in Alaska. He was an Army aviator. Betty served as a supply officer during WW II in Washington, D.C. and Pensacola, Florida. Both of her brothers were combat veterans of the war. Betty married James Cutler Dawson, a naval aviator, in November 1945 in Pensacola. They returned to Richmond after the war, where Jim continued his career with the Internal Revenue Service. They were married for 54 years until his death in 1999. Betty was a longtime resident of Lakeside. She was an avid golfer and an active member of the Richmond Women's Golf Association. She was a past Hermitage Country Club Women's Golf champion and became a life member of the club. Betty was a member of both the 18-hole and 9-hole ladies groups until her move to McLean, Virginia. At the age of 89, Betty still enjoyed golf at Hermitage and workouts in the club fitness center. Betty was an avid sports enthusiast and taught her sons how to compete. Through the years, Betty was a staple at the Richmond tennis championships, cheering on the athletes. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Vice Admiral Cutler and Debbie Dawson, USN (Ret.), of Alexandria, Virginia and Mr. Craig and Mary Dawson of Millersville, Maryland; and five grandchildren, Matt, Daryl, Liz, Cutler and Devon. A graveside interment will be held at 11 a.m. on December 23, at Westhampton Memorial Park in Richmond, Virginia. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Lakeside Rescue Squad, 2007 Timberlake Avenue, Henrico, Virginia 23228.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.