Dawn Filek

Dawn Harp Filek VIRGINIA BEACH - Dawn died Sept. 27, 2008, in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital after a lengthy illness surrounded by her family and friends. She was 72 years of age. She was born in Chatham, Va., June 4, 1936 and spent her early years as a youth in Danville. Her parents moved to Princess Anne County where she attended high school. She was a graduate of Kempsville High School Class of 1954. She retired from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as an administrative officer, prior to that she worked as administrative assistant for six years at the Naval Aviation Logistics center in Patuxent River, Md. She began her federal civil service career at the Naval Air Rework Facility in Norfolk as a clerk/teletypist. She was the daughter of the late Russell P. and Lena Walton Harp. She was predeceased by her sister, Anne Auchenbach of Phillipsburg, N.J., and her brother, Tom Harp of Southern Shores, N.C. Left to cherish Dawn's loving memory are her husband of 54 years, Henry T. Filek; her two daughters, Cynthia D. Lee and her husband Ray and Rebecca L. Mjelde; her two grandchildren, C. Nicole Carpenter and Knut Henry Mjelde; her great-grandaughter, Grace Carpenter; along with her brother, Wayne Harp and sister-in-law Ann Harp; brother-in-law, James C. and Bonnie D. Filek; and sister-in-law, Thereasa and Ray Crabb; and many nieces and nephews. Dawn's smile would brighten any room, as she was a great friend to all she met. Among other things, she loved her flower garden, the sun, the beach and her pool, along with playing Mahjong with her friends. An elegant, gracious lady she was, a grand hostess. Mostly Dawn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother. She loved and cherished being with her family and friends. She was a member of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church and a devoted parishoner. The family will receive friends today from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. in Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk. A funeral will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 5345 Virginia Beach Blvd. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.woodlawngroup.com.