Helen Ingrid DAWSON

DAWSON (née JONES) Helen Ingrid 11 November 1929-10 June 2009
DAWSON (née JONES) Helen Ingrid

11 November 1929-10 June 2009 Friends and former colleagues and students were saddened to hear of the death of Helen Ingrid Jones Dawson, formerly of the University of Western Ontario, the University of Alberta and the Canadian Foreign Service. Helen died peacefully at home after a period of illness.

Helen was born in Bunbury, Prince Edward Island, the youngest daughter of Premier John Walter Jones and Katherine Bovyer. She attended Prince of Wales College and Acadia before studying political science at McGill (BA), Queen's (MA) and St Hilda's College, Oxford (MLitt). She joined the Canadian Foreign Service in 1955, serving in Ottawa before returning to academic life following her marriage to William F. (Bill) Dawson in December 1956. She lived for much of her adult life in Edmonton & London, Ontario, spending summers in Nova Scotia and PEI.

During her academic career, Helen became an authority on the role of pressure groups in Canadian politics, and published numerous articles on related subjects. She was a keen observer of the Canadian political scene, about which she held many strong opinions, which she defended with both charm and determination.

Helen was an exceptionally knowledgeable student of international cuisines and regional wines and foods. A superb cook and gracious hostess, she and Bill entertained friends at their London and Halifax homes, and at their summer home on the LaHave River. In her youth, she was an active equestrienne. She and Bill travelled extensively for research and recreation, visiting every continent except Antarctica.

Helen leaves behind her husband of 53 years, Bill Dawson; her sister, Vimy Siegrist; her sister-in-law Joan Dawson and nieces and nephews: George Dewar (Rosemary), Dale Dewar, Jay Siegrist (Margah Domville), Joyce Dewar, Judy Henderson (Stan), Larry Dewar (Tammy), Ron Siegrist, Robert (Bridget) and Peter (Taunya) Dawson and many grand-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and by her sister Lois Jones Dewar, her brother Bovyer Jones and her brother-in-law Robert Dawson.

At her request, there will be no memorial service.