Sandra Jean Dawson

Sandra Jean Dawson (nee Smith)

Sandra Jean Dawson (nee Smith), 73, passed away suddenly on February 1st, 2014 in Oceanside, Calif.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Sandra graduated from Old Trail School, and continued her education at the University of Arizona.

Sandra found the love of her life in Akron, Ohio while working at Goodyear Travel. Marrying Jack Dawson in 1961 set Sandra on an adventurous trail as they moved many times while raising three young children. When Jack traveled for business, she handled all the demands of family life.

She was a great wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, willing to do whatever was needed. She listened and commiserated, often soothing a situation by saying "local problem." Her ready smile always made those around her feel particularly special. We will miss her generous heart, adventurous spirit, infectious laugh and beautiful smile. Her death creates a hole that will be impossible to fill.

Sandra loved to travel, and was very good at it! She was known for pushing hard until she and anyone accompanying her saw all the sights. Sandra had many friends who thoroughly enjoyed being with her. In the last ten years she re-acquired her bridge game and enjoyed playing a couple times a week.

Sandra gave generously of her time and talents to many Akron area organizations. These included serving as Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer, and President of the Junior League of Akron; Board Member Emeritus and founder of Shelter Care, formerly Safe Landing Runaway Shelter; 1976 Tournament Chairperson for the Virginia Slims tennis tournament at the Coliseum; Good Samaritan Hunger Center Board and President; Committee and Chairperson for the Soup for the City fundraiser; Women's Board of Akron City then Summa Hospital; and Keep Akron Beautiful. She was also a Neighborhood Arbitration arbitrator, a Rummage Sale volunteer, and more. Sandra was a long time member of Fairlawn Country Club where she enjoyed golf, tennis, bridge, and many family dinners.

Preceded in death by her parents, Ray H. and Hazel (Heuer) Smith and brother, Raymond Duff Smith, Sandra is survived by her husband of 52 years, John C. Dawson; daughters, Denise (Michael) Erickson, Diana (Tommy) Coyne; son, Drew (Amy) Dawson; and nine grandchildren including Teddy, Amanda, and Hannah (Erickson), Kelsey and John (Stanoch), Riley (Coyne), and Jordan, Sydney, and Jack (Dawson); and her sister, Carol (Smith) Bennett of Arizona.

A Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving will take place Saturday, April 12th, 11 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1250 West Exchange St., Akron, OH 44313.