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Dawn O'Rourke Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Dawn O'Rourke
teddie moorehead
May 8, 2010
kyra, tony and joe,
i am very sorry for your families great loss! your mother was an incredible woman, she gives inspiration too all of us single moms.... i'm sure where ever she is now, she's dressed up looking good and ready to have some fun.... i will always cherish the many talks i had with her while i was eating or cooking in her kitchen in high school!! i will hold those memories close to my heart always! much love and respect ~ teddie moorehead
Mom, Halloween 2009
Kyra O'Rourke
May 5, 2010
Jodi Ekelund
April 29, 2010
Hi sis,
Sure do miss ya! Hope it's as grand as we've heard...
Dawn you had the best party in your backyard. You were sitting in your favorite chair seeing over everyone as you always have..
Joe dedicated the PERFECT song too you,
Tony & Joe sang a song from the past. It was the best (your boys looked beautiful, and Kyra looked just as pretty with her little belly showing.
You diffenetly left your mark in this world. Your a hard act to follow,
Love ya and miss ya forever.
Sis
Deb Hanlon
April 27, 2010
Dear Kyra, Joe and Toni,
I am so sorry to hear of your mothers passing. In fact I am still in shock! We shared some great times together, getting ourselves into trouble LOL! My fondest memory is when Joe pulled us from the dunes after crying and drinking at the beach when Greg was leaving for college. She was one of a kind and I will truly miss her!
Mary Lou Knapp
April 27, 2010
We were so saddened to hear of Dawn's passing. She was such a dear person, always bright and smiling, and a friend to all who met her. She is gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of her family.
Bill Holbrook and Mary Lou Knapp
Kauai June 2007
Kelli Leonhardt
April 27, 2010
Cindy Cool
April 26, 2010
Dear Kyra,
Dave and I was saddened to hear about your Mom. I loved working for her. When she bought the Property Management from George Berry I came with it. What I loved about your Mom was the fact that she was honest and straightforward. I loved to hear her greeting me even though I was there to pick up a key to clean a dirty old apt. She always had a smile on her face. When I would return the key I would tell her about something that had happen when I was working. especially with Dan and then we would get to giggling and laughing. She had a great sense of humor. I know that you miss her now, but I can tell you that you will always miss her. I can see in you, her. Please always cherish the close relationship you had with her Kyra and your loved ones that are still here. We never know from day to day what will happen to each one of us. Please take care Kyra,
With love
Tasha Eisner
April 25, 2010
I have so many great memories of growing up down the road from your family. I will always remember playing dress up with Kyra in all of Dawn's clothes. She let us try on everything in her closet, shoes, dresses and even her makeup. She was such a srong women and always fun to be around. I was blessed to know her. I am thinking of you all, and hope you find strength in all of the great memories you have of your Mom.
April 24, 2010
Dear Kyra,
I am so sad to hear of the loss of your mom. Her strength of spirit was such an inspiration to me - when we ran into you at the Pumpkin Patch last year, I walked away awed by her positive outlook and love for life. I'll never forget the way she smiled and said, "I'm still here! I'm doing just great!" Although I didn't get to know her well, she always made me feel at ease and was always interested in my life and my family. Such a tremendous loss to all who knew her! My heart and prayers are with you and your family. I pray you find strength in the love that is all around you, and peace in the memories you hold in your heart.
With sincere sympathy,
Cathy (Alcorn) Tobin
Derek Guffey
April 24, 2010
She was the salt of the earth from which all good things come.Fair ,honest ,truthfull a very loving person. I had the honor of knowing her ,what a gift. Derek Guffey
April 23, 2010
We were and are so shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of Dawn. What a wonderful woman. So glad that we had the opportunity to have known her. We met years ago when we were searching for land. From the beginning, we knew that Dawn was passionate about her work and that she would do all she could to find what we were looking for. And she did, many times!! Through the years, we would always call on Dawn to help us with our real estate needs. She went above and beyond for us, as we are sure she did in about all she did in life. She was so intelligent, beautiful, caring and always happy. Her smile and laugh will remain in our hearts. What a loss to our community and of course to all that knew her. God must have needed an angel :). We send our deepest sympathy to her family. We will cherish our memories of Dawn always.
With love and admiration,
Dennis & Tami Fitze & sons
Barbra Cooley
April 22, 2010
Tony, Kyra, and Joe, I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Kathy Walker
April 22, 2010
I will always cherish my memories of the love, the laughs, the tears, the good times (whew, so many) and the not so good times I shared with my best friend and the sister I never had. We raised our children together, we felt that each others children were ours also. We watched our children grow and watched as they had their own babies. We had a plan... To grow old together, sit in our rocking chairs on the front porch and reminise about our lives & loves...with a glass of wine! Now, I guess, we will have to move those rocking chairs to Cloud 9!!
My love to Tony, Kyra, Joe, Stacy, Dawn's Mom, my other sister Jodi, Ken, Whitney, Brooke, and Mike.
To all Dawn's friends, Didn't we all have fun.... we were truly blessed to have known such a beautiful, vibrant woman.
I wish I could be there with you all to celebrate Dawn's life... I will be there in thought... God Bless
My Mom & I in Italy
Kyra O'Rourke-Girard
April 22, 2010
I wanted to write about my beautiful mother. She was so very passionate about life and wanted everyone to live every minute. Through her good times and her bad, she was a strong woman. She taught me the joy of traveling and experiencing new things. Her & I were lucky to have such a close relationship. By working together and by being mother & daughter, we spent so much time together in both a professional and a personal setting that we truly were the best of friends.
Even in her difficult moments of this final journey, she failed to see how courageous she truly was to those around her. She would face each day, some harder than others and she would still be positive even on days where she could barely lift her head. She would whisper, do I have any appointments? And by appointments, I mean the many friends that wanted to come see her. She loved company and for those who called or visited, she truly cherished those moments. She would struggle to get up and get dressed because she didn't want to disappoint anyone.
My mothers gifts to me are many, but her very last gift was to make me realize that in everything that happens to us, it is up to us how we face it. We can blame, we can cry, we can be angry or we can try to face it with courage, diginty & grace. She was beautiful & strong to the last. She was and always will be my best friend
I will miss you forever mom and I know your memories will go on, because to do otherwise would take away all that you taught me. My child will know of their grandma, because so much of my memories are wrapped up in you. I love you and like I told you before you passed, we will always have Paris & Rome. I wish it could have been more, but that was not to be. Some day we will see each other again and I hope to be able to tell you; "I lived well and full of passion, just like you taught me."
Always, your loving daughter.
Dennis Mason
April 22, 2010
I have had the pleasure of knowing Dawn for many years through California Association of Realtor. Dawn was a good friend and wonderful person. She also is one of the strongest ladys I've ever met. Chris and I will greatly miss her.
Darcy Gray
April 22, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Mike Mitchell
April 22, 2010
Kyra, Joe, Tony and their special families-
Special Person??
Family Ski Trips to Bend with the kids
Special Evenings on the Deck with Wine
Fridays with Mark and Kelli & Kathy
Walker
Estrellita and the Lake
The Redds
Hawaii
When Bryan accidentally shot the gun
HSU Football
Trips to Washington
San Francisco
Al and Patty
Lyndra and Fred and the Lake
Ken and Jodi Trips
Blaine and the stories
mom and Bob stories
Chinook
There is an old saying-"you had to be there." It pertains more to your mom than anyone I have ever known. I could honestly write a book and each of those lines above could be a chapter. Many people never experience the experience. Dawn knew how to experience the experience. You either understand this or you don't. She was a very special person and will live on forever in those who knew her. Take care of those memories and yourselves.
Kerry Young
April 22, 2010
Dawn,
There isn't enough love to put into words to show how much we all love you and miss you! You are the greatest fighter I have ever known. Your glow is as permenant as the love you left behind. You, are an inspiration to all of us. I will always remember just what a spit fire you really were and how much class you constantly displayed. I can just imagine what trouble your causing up in heaven right now and it brings a smile to my heart.
Cas Pinkowski
April 21, 2010
May Dawn rest in peace. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to those that are left behind. I'm sure Dawn is in a better place. We loved her enthusiasm and gracious smile at The California Association of Realtors. Her love, smile and work ethic were infectious.
Randy & Glorie Williamson
April 21, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
April 21, 2010
Tony, Kyra, Joe & Family, I'm so deeply sorry for your loss and am still finding it hard to believe Dawn is really gone. I am so glad to have known her. She was an amazing woman who touched my life in a very special way. Memories keep coming back to me one after the other and I know we will be sharing precious memories of her for years to come. I will miss her very much. She was amazingly strong, independent, beautiful, funny, classy and fun. May you guys find peace in your memories of Dawn. Kyra, beautfiful baby names, I love how they honor your mama! I love you guys. ~ Jessica
Liana Medina
April 20, 2010
Kyra, Joe, Tony and families,
Dawn could make me laugh like no other person I knew! She was tireless, vibrant, loving and adventurous. Her traits live on in you- Kyra, Joe and Tony.
You guys took such great care of her when she was ill. Now, please take good care of yourselves! My thoughts are with you in this time of grief. Please let me know if there is anything you need. xoxoxoxo
Laura Peltier- Olson
April 20, 2010
A wonderful woman that will be missed! May you rest in peace!
Truly,
Laura & David
April 20, 2010
To Kyra, Joe, Tony, Jody and Mom whom I have come to know so well in the last 9 months, My heart has been there with you. A true friend that I had so much fun with. Dawn was a bright spirit and never missed a moment, good or bad. She had such a way of making everyday so worth while and FUN. In the last 15 years of spending a minimal 2 hours a week working on her body to become the powerful woman she was, a day did not go by without the laughter. We laughed anything simple in life and Love. What an inspirational woman. She will always be here to help you in spirit. What a spirit she is. I will miss her greatly. Sharon Porchia-Vollmers
Beth ConWAY
April 20, 2010
There are so many memories...kids growing up, times at the lake, times laughing over the days events, songs we sang together, stories we shared about or grand children, sharing friends we have in common (now I have more because of you), sharing secrets, dreams and hopes for the future. I loved the fact I could always depend on you for solid advice. ALWAYS. I think of you and I think of my future..I hope to leave this world with the same grace you did..you are a true example of love, life and success..may it always be an inspiration to every person you ever touched in your life as is has been to me. I will miss you forever my friend..
Love Love the picture...it is so you..
Until we meet again...Bethy
Jaime (Parker) Ritchie
April 20, 2010
Kyra, Tony & Joe,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family during this time.
Megan Sundberg
April 20, 2010
Joe, Kyra and Tony,
My thoughts are with you all, I loved her very much and will always have her in my memories.
Jaye Inabnit
April 20, 2010
I will miss you Dawn! I'm sure glad I decided to pick up the phone to pick your brain and then to learn all that you were facing. Thanks for being a great person, an awesome mum, an amazin' business tycoon, and a fine friend! I am probably the only guy you fired one day and re-hired the next. It was more than just work that kept me in your big and busy world dear Miss. You became my friend and a person I could open up to without feelin' self conscience about it. Not too many folk in this old world inspire such trust from an old hippie like me. Every visit I make up to the lake, I will feel your spirit. For every guttural chuckle I hear, I will sense your humor. For every beautiful smile on each little blond girl's face I see, I will remember your happiness. You did good Miss, you did damn good all the way around. I will certainly miss you Dawn O'Rourke.
Karen Wasson
April 20, 2010
Kyra, I know the pain from loosing someone so very special in your life. The joy comes in remembering the wonderful moments you shared with your Mom. She was a beautiful wonderful woman. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. How I loved her smile!
Gunny & Bev Stevens
April 20, 2010
Kyra, Tony & Joe,
My heart sank when I heard about your Mom. She was such a GREAT Lady who inspired many people with her strength and endurance. When she had her mind set "get out of the way" because her cause was her drive. I loved you mom for who she was, a beautiful, smart independant woman who was very goal oriented. Kyra, you are a chip off that block wear it well and wear it proud. She will be missed by so many who knew her. Draw from the strength she instilled in you and share with the next generations to keep her spirit alive forever.
Greg Meagher
April 20, 2010
My dear Dawn,
The days behind us are now a memory; like flickers of light on a moonlit pond. The things we discussed, the dreams we shared, the arguments we had are no longer relevant - like vapors in the air on a Fall morning.
When two friends come together, there are conversations that take place in an instant and without words; their eyes meet - and a flow of information is relayed within a second, and without a sound. It is the spirit of each being, communicating with the other, that tells more than lips and voices could convey in an hour; two souls sharing a lifetime of memories, and somehow wanting to transplant each others names into them.
You were a friend when I needed one - a shoulder to cry on, and a back to climb onto when the going got rough. We spoke of rodeos and parties, Hawaii and Mexico, marriage and how we envisioned our lives had we met years ago; and somehow those stories left enough intrigue to propagate new ones. We shared cocktails and cigars, and occasionally more; we fished and laughed and got each other drunk. We found the humor in every event, and when our children hurt, we also cried.
We never really knew each other, and yet we were the best of friends. I like to think that we accepted each other without judgement or malice, and we never expected more than just a smile, a hug, and an eager ear for each other. There are things that others will never understand; things that we shared because we knew it would never go any further, and yet we found answers and peace in the simple act of verbalizing them to each other.
A friend never forces their ideas upon you, never betrays the trust, never expects an answer that imitates their own thoughts, and never stops loving. A friend will pick up your saddle when you are too sore to move, and give you their blanket when you are cold. A friend will share their dreams with the hope that you will want to be a part of them, and yet never give up on a dream because you don't.
When we travel through this life and ultimately reach the end, the names that stand out, besides our dear Jesus, are few; I am lucky enough to think of one name when I wake up to each and every morning, the time of day I enjoy the most.
Until we are all once again children in the garden, I will favor the memories of when you were here.
Your friend,
Greg
April 20, 2010
Kyra and family,
There is a hole in the world today with the passing of Dawn. Dawn had a zest for life that few will ever achieve or understand. She was a good friend of ours and we will sorely miss her. We loved her sense of humor, her dedication, and her love of life.
We are so sorry that all the Bailey's will be out of town for her special celebration of life. Please know our hearts and love will be with you all in honoring her spectacular life!
Love to you all,
Rick, Chris, Sarah and Missy Bailey
April 20, 2010
I learned today, 4/20, that Dawn had passed from this life to the next. Her giggle is etched in my heart. No one could twinkle like she did behind sun glasses, with her perky little nose and gorgeous smile. She raised a strong family of good decent people - leaving a wonderful legacy.
We used to sit on low cheap lawn chairs in my back yard and just laugh and laugh - I look forward to doing that again one day with Dawn, pain free, laughing and no need for cheap lawn chairs!
Kathleen Adkins,
Reno NV
Mark and Linda Rynearson
April 20, 2010
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Kelli Leonhardt
April 20, 2010
My dearest friend has gone away
And this just isn't right
But all of us who knew her know
She didn't go down without a fight.
The last two years were up and down
With one thing after another
You've been a "Special" friend to all
And a most caring and generous mother.
Those of us who knew you well
"Oh" the stories we could tell
From trips to Hawaii & Trinity Lake
And the many more we can never take.
Your final days were special to me
As comfort was the goal
There was no place I'd rather be
As this illness took it's toll.
So for now I must say "Goodbye" my friend
Our time seemed short but sweet
There will never be a friend like you
Until again we meet.
I love you Dawn!
Sarah Bailey
April 20, 2010
Kyra & Family...
I have many memories of seeing Dawn up at the lake or at different work functions. I always admired her for being a strong professional business woman who definately loved to have a good time. Her smile was always warm and genuine. She will live on through all our memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this tough time.
April 20, 2010
For Every day there is a Dawn and a flower to smile upon and her Presence certainly lives on in each and every one of us ... Every Moment Matters ... jd
April 20, 2010
Karen Moulton
April 20, 2010
For many years I provided medical care to Dawn and she provided business advice to me. We both had very busy lives but formed a bond early on.
The most prominent memories of Dawn I have are as follows. I loved her sense of humor especially in challenging times. She had an incredible love and devotion to her family and would do anything for them whenever they needed her. She was a very successful professional. And she gave back to the community she loved being a part of.
Dawn is a woman I always have and always will admire. What fortunate children and grandchildren to have experienced the love and devotion of this incredible woman.
A blessing to you all.
Karen Moulton
April 20, 2010
I am so sorry for your loss. She is in a better place that is for sure. I am sure she is looking down on you with pride and joy. The days to come will be hard, but know that she had so many good friends and admired by many. She will be missed. Will keep you in my prayers thru this trying time. Keep her memory alive thru words and fond memories.
Theda Wilson
Kirby & Keri Reininger
April 20, 2010
Tony, Kyra, Joe & Families,
Your mom was a very special woman. We are thinking of you!
Michelle & Gene Steele
April 20, 2010
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2010
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