Clearing My Head

My Mom died suddenly this week.  I’m heading out west to the funeral with Mugs, my English Bulldog, on a cross-country road trip to clear my head and process.

For today’s post, below is the obituary I wrote for her.  I’ll write more about this remarkable woman and her incredible influence on me in the future.  Right now I’m still too numb.

Dawn W. Vincent

(previously known as Dawn White Bowman)

(January 27, 1929 – January 19, 2015)

Dawn Vincent passed away in the wee hours of 19 January, 2015 with her daughter Myrle at her side in Everett, Washington near where she had been living in Mill Creek.

She was born Dawn LaBeth White to Mark and Deane White in American Fork, Utah near their home in Highland, the oldest of four children, two of whom survive her, Monte White and his wife Joyce and Eleanor Van Liew and her husband Bob.

During her high school years they moved near Ashton, Idaho where she met and married Reynol M. Bowman, a nearby rancher before he headed off to WWII. On his return, they had three children beginning in 1948, when she was just 19, all of whom survive them: Reyn Bowman, Raemarie Steele and Myrle Guthrie.

The family also lived in Connell, Spokane and Redmond, Washington as well as Idaho Falls, Idaho and Sandy, Utah. Dawn had a 37-year career working her way up from secretary to accountant and medical center manager.

Thirty-three years ago, she was remarried to W. Leon Vincent and became step-mother to Vicky, Dan, Jeff and Richard Vincent.

Dawn was a devout member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) and held the positions of chorister, Relief Society president and pianist. She and Leon served a mission to Cambodian immigrants south of Los Angeles and later served as temple workers in Utah and Washington State where they lived in retirement.

Her varied interests included gardening, reading, playing violin and piano, singing and genealogy.  She was also an incredible cook.

Dawn is also survived by two son-in-laws, Rick Guthrie and Dan Steele, seven grandchildren, Emily Haley, Mark and Megan Guthrie and Ben, Zach, Sam and Adam Steele as well as eight great-grandchildren, Oliver and Charlie Haley, Mattie, Ella and Liam Guthrie and Amelia, Ellie and Harper Steele.

She was a loving and devoted daughter, mother, wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. For countless reasons she will be greatly missed including her resilience, sense of humor, twinkling eyes, love of the lake, drive, determination, independence, grit and boundless optimism.

Graveside services will be held at the cemetery in Spanish Fork, Utah on Friday, January 30, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.