Friday, April 26, 2024
Dawn was born in Albuquerque New Mexico. The youngest of Esther and Algot Peterson’s four children. She grew up as a self-proclaimed “tom-boy” in the motel her parents owned on Route 66, right by the Rio Grande. She loved sports and animals and the outdoors.
When she entered college at UNM she joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and fell in love with theatre. She also fell in love with fellow student, and theatre department leading man, Bob Gastaldo. Together they had three children, Mike Gastaldo of Santa Monica, California. Ann (Rich) Harris of Beaverton, Oregon and Robyn (Fred) Smith Of Mukilteo, Washington.
The family moved to Los Angeles where Dawn taught elementary school. She touched the lives of so many with her compassion, her drive to see each student as unique, and her genuine concern for their wellbeing. She developed a report card system that focused on effort and understanding rather than test scores. Her system was adopted school wide.
The family grew and grandchildren entered the picture. Christopher, Andy, Keri, Kayla, and Emily. Dawn and Bob reveled in being grandparents.
Moves and transfers happened and the family spread out. After retiring, Dawn and Bob moved to Mukilteo in 1991. Bob passed away in 1993. Dawn carried on with the strength, love and humor that characterized her. She focused on family and those beloved grandchildren.
In 2003 she found love again when she met Joe Gagnon of Everett, Washington. Together they traveled, danced, laughed and formed a bond that made them each young again.
Dawn passed away the morning of April 16, 2019. Along with those of us at her side was her care provider and best friend, Patience Lesueur. Patience provided friendship, dignity and joy to Dawn’s last years. Keeping her promise to Dawn, Patience was there till the end.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 1 p.m., June 1, 2019 at Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery in Everett, Washington.
Please join us in celebrating a wonderful life.
If you would like to make charitable donations in Dawn’s name please consider organizations that support research/patient care for those dealing with Alzheimer’s or heart disease.
