Obituary of Doris Johnson Dawson

Doris Johnson Dawson, a resident of Stamford for the past 15 years, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2014 in Stamford Hospital. She was 98 years old and she remained in good health until the final day of her life. Doris was born on March 16, 1916 in Longmont, Colorado. She was the second child of Oscar S. Johnson and Alida A. Johnson, both Swedish immigrants, and she grew up on the family farm. When she was 18 years old, Doris entered the nursing program at Denver General Hospital. After graduating with an R.N., Doris moved with her roommate to Bradford, Pennsylvania. During World War II, she joined the U.S. Navy Nurse Corp., achieving the rank of Lieutenant JG before leaving the service in 1946. That same year, she married John F. Dawson, also a native of Longmont, and they lived in Chicago, Illinois for the early years of their marriage. In 1948, they moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where their two daughters, Joanne and Jeanne, were born. In 1965, the family moved to Warren, Ohio. John passed away in 1988 after 42 years of marriage. In 1999, Doris moved to Stamford to be closer to her daughter, Jeanne. Doris enjoyed her life completely. She was proud of her family, her Swedish heritage, her Lutheran faith, her service in the U.S. Navy and 62-year membership in the PEO Sisterhood. She loved to laugh, she enjoyed meeting new people and she cared about dressing well and wearing lipstick always! She was strong, determined and optimistic. Doris is survived by her two daughters, Joanne Doshan (Bill) of Valparaiso, Indiana and Jeanne Matson of Darien, Connecticut. In addition, she leaves five grandchildren: John Doshan (Leigh), Elizabeth Doshan, Julianne Doshan, Spencer Matson and Katherine Matson. She leaves one great-grandchild, Ryder Doshan and eight nieces and nephews. Doris has one surviving sibling, Helen Johnson Nelson. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, John; her parents and two siblings, Irene Johnson Bohn and Vernon O. Johnson, and her son-in-law, George Matson. In September, a memorial service will be held at Living Lord Lutheran Church in Warren, Ohio and she will be laid to rest next to her husband, John, in Niles, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Doris Dawson's name to the PEO Sisterhood, Connecticut Chapter L, c/o Carolyn Dick, 79 Harbor Drive #306, Stamford, CT 06902. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820