Dawn Mae Smith

Born on April 21, 1943, in Antigo, Wisconsin, Dawn was the beloved daughter of Clyde Perry and Vesta Thornberry Perry. She grew up alongside her younger brother Ron, with whom she shared a deep and enduring bond. Their childhood journey took them from Antigo to Little Chute, and eventually to Appleton, where the family built their first home-a place filled with warmth and memories.

Tragedy struck in 1959 when Dawn was just 16. Her father died in a car accident, leaving a profound void in her heart. From that moment on, she took it upon herself to care for Ron, just 12 at the time. Her protective love for him never wavered. Later, her mother remarried Rand Baxter, and the family continued forward, fortified by Dawn's quiet resilience.

After graduating from Appleton High School in 1962, Dawn ventured west to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. There, she moved into E. Richards Hall in Heritage Halls and formed lifelong friendships with her roommates-Amarylis, Diane, Janet, and Mary Lou. It was also at BYU that she met the love of her life, Gary Eugene Smith, who lived in neighboring Helaman Halls. Their courtship blossomed quickly, and though they were separated for two years while Gary served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Texas and New Mexico, their love endured.

Upon his return, they married in the Los Angeles Temple. Gary often told the story of how nervous in the days before their wedding-so much so that on the day Dawn was going through the temple for the first time he locked his keys in the car and had to break the wind wing with a wrench to retrieve his suitcase. That story, like their love, became a cherished family legend.

In Provo, Dawn worked as a secretary in the BYU Housing office while Gary taught Spanish at the Missionary Training Center and completed his education. In 1967, they moved to San Jose, California, where Gary began teaching Spanish at Union Middle School. Dawn took a secretarial job but quickly realized that fixing and smelling coffee wasn't her calling-and so she left, never looking back.

Her true calling came on September 20, 1968, when she became a mother to her only child, Jeffrey Dean Smith. For the next 17 years, Dawn poured her heart into motherhood and church service. She held leadership roles as Ward Young Women's President, Stake Young Women's President, and Ward Relief Society President. She was a guiding light to countless young women, nurturing them with wisdom, compassion, and a touch of humor. And they loved her deeply in return.

As Jeffrey left for college, Dawn began a new chapter working alongside her brother Ron at Showroom Auto Sales, specializing in classic and exotic cars. Though Ron was the expert, Dawn quickly became a car aficionado herself-proving once again that she could master anything she set her mind to. During this same period, her husband Gary was called to serve as Bishop of the Willow Glen Ward, and Dawn naturally stepped into the role of the ward's nurturing heart-supporting him and serving the members in countless meaningful ways.

In 2005, her heart swelled with joy when Jeffrey finally got married, and Dawn embraced her favorite role of all: Grandma. Brie, Maddy, Robbie, and Cooper became the center of her universe. She planned Grandma and Grandpa camps filled with laughter, games, and love-sometimes with all the grandkids together, and sometimes with special one-on-one weekends. These moments became treasured memories for her grandchildren, who adored her.

In her later years, Dawn found peace and joy at the beach, often in the family RV with Gary by her side or surrounded by loved ones. She cherished these simple pleasures-sunshine, waves, and togetherness. Another deep source of joy came from becoming a great-grandmother. She adored Tommy and Noah, and even as her health declined, it meant the world to her to meet her newest great-granddaughter, Lucy.

Dawn's love language was unmistakably the art of giving. She had a knack for finding the perfect gift, a talent fueled by her secret love of shopping. For her, gift-giving was never about the item-it was about connection, about showing someone they were seen and loved.

Her life was a tapestry of devotion-to her family, her faith, her friends, and her community. She gave generously, loved fiercely, and lived gracefully. Dawn Mae Smith leaves behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and joy. She will be missed deeply, but her spirit will live on in every life she touched.