Dawn Marie Tunnicliff

Dawn Marie (Sullivan) Tunnicliff, 54, beloved wife of Leon E. Tunnicliff, of Bradford, RI and Wyalusing, PA, was called to heaven Wednesday January 6th, 2021 at The Westerly Hospital, due to Covid-19, surrounded by loved ones. She will now rest in peace and finally hold her dearly missed twins.
She was a graduate of Westerly High School in 1984 and received an education in office administration from The Sawyer School. Early in life she was a dedicated caretaker to the elderly, working as a CNA. Dawn was a manager at many local coffee shops over the years, most recently at Honey Dew, where she knew everyone's order before they walked through the door.
She was a devout Christian. Dawn collected keychains from all over the world, turkeys, hummingbirds, anything Rudolph, Eeyore, and Disney related. She enjoyed a multitude of hobbies; bingo, slots, pop it, crosswords, words with friends (which she dominated), playing dominoes with family, feeding her flock of hummingbirds, and reading, especially Fern Michaels. We would be remiss not to mention her absolute adoration for the Dallas Cowboys and NASCAR of which she was a lifelong fan. Her most treasured moments in life were raising her children, cuddling her cat's and caring for her husband.
In addition to her husband, she leaves behind her two children, Joshua J. Tunnicliff and his girlfriend Jeni of Westerly and Paige N. Gardner and her husband Jack of Middletown, CT; as well as her siblings, Susan Deniger and Dave, Robert Sullivan and Linda, John Sullivan and Laura, Kimberly Hewins and Rick, and Jamie Sullivan and Robin; her brothers and sisters-in- law, Wayne Tunnicliff and Vicki, Dawn Magee, Sevelon Tunnicliff and Kay, Rick Tunnicliff and Ava, Dallas Tunnicliff and Tammy, Deborah Zani and Michael, Ivan Tunnicliff and Tammy, and Betty Teel and Jerry; and several nieces and nephews; many dear friends, extended family and friends' children whom she loved as her own, along with her furbabies, Bud and Mittens, and her grand-furbabies, Captain Howie and Contessa, in lieu of her future grandchildren.
Dearly missed by Dawn were her parents, Robert Sullivan Sr and Shirley Sullivan, her parents-in-law, James H. Tunnicliff and Betty J. Tunnicliff; and two special brothers-in-law, Command Sgt. Major James E. Tunnicliff and Dean "Dean-O" Magee.
We wish to extend a hand of gratitude to all the staff at Westerly Hospital that so lovingly and compassionately cared for Dawn in her final days.
A Memorial Service will be held at a future date when gathering is deemed safe. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, donations for final expenses may be mailed to P.O. Box 193 Bradford, RI.