Dawn Sharon Cameron passed away quietly at home March 2, 2023, after a brief and brave battle with pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her husband George Stuart Cameron, daughter Susan Turpin (Kenneth), son Robert (Heather nee Moen), and son Colin (Cheryl nee Clegg). She leaves 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren with whom she had a very close relationship, playing a vital role in their education, activities, and moral upbringing.
She was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to William and Melba Johnston on June 18, 1939. She grew up in Yorkton, Saskatchewan where her father was an alderman and theatre manager. She graduated in 1960 from the School of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan Hospital. It was there she met medical student and track star Stuart whom she married on May 27, 1961.
Dawn was an obstetrical nurse during Stuart’s internship at Toronto Western Hospital. This was followed by 4 years in Drayton Valley, Alberta where they tragically lost their first son, Dale, in 1963. Then in 1966 with their 2 children, Robert and Susan, they spent a year at the University of California at Los Angeles and Dawn worked as a float nurse. Then Stuart took his neurosurgical residency in Edmonton where Colin was born. In 1973 the family settled in Victoria.
Dawn had many activities and accomplishments. She was on the Board of Directors with organizations including the Victoria Symphony Society, Royal McPherson Theatre Society, YMCA, Need Crisis Line, Canadian Surgical Care for Children, Junior League, and the food bank at St John’s Devine. Dawn was Team Leader for Poco a Poco organizing medical care in remote locations of Guatemala. She was a prenatal Lamaze instructor for over 25 years and only retired when her “babies were having babies.”
Her passions included music, flowers, theatre, bridge, travel, art, fitness, walking and cooking. She was a very active lady of the Camosun Gyro club. Dawn was an avid downhill skier, and the family owned a townhouse at Apex Alpine Ski Resort near Penticton for over 25 years. She loved to entertain in her waterfront home and hosted 3 weddings.
Dawn was a very outgoing, kind, and loving person with many, many friends. She had a way of making any person she was talking to feel like they were the most important person in the world.
She spent her final weeks in the constant presence of her husband, children and grandchildren. The family extends their sincere appreciation to all the doctors and nurses who compassionately provided excellent medical care.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the BC Cancer agency in her memory.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Uplands Golf Club, 3300 Cadboro Bay Road, Victoria, BC, on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 2:00 pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
26 Responses
Dear Stu & family,
So very sorry & sad to learn of Dawn’s death. She was truly an amazing person; the world is poorer for her departure.
My hope for you all is that all the memories you shared will support & sustain you as you adjust to the very large space in your lives.
May she truly Rest In Peace.
Love,
June Blau
Deepest condolences to you Stuart and all the Cameron family. Our love and thoughts are with all of you.
Dawn was wonderful she was the best host to all of our events at her house I will miss her happy warm welcome.
Bob & Heather, our deepest condolences to you & your family.
Bill & Arlene
So sorry to learn of Dawn’s demise. She was always so positive and happy whenever we saw each other. Dawn was very active with Victoria Medical Wives and she could always be depended on for help which she offered cheerfully. She will live in my memory forever. We used to meet at musical events and have little chats.
Jean Haley
Dear Stu and family,
It’s hard to imagine how the departure of such a tiny person can leave such a big hole in so many lives. Dawn’s energy, curiosity, laughter, wisdom and kindness were her gifts to friendship and I will be forever grateful to have been among the many in her orbit. I particularly treasure the memories of our Sunday morning walks/talks/coffee and “one cookie split three ways”. 🙂
You chose a wonderful photo to remember her – I can so easily hear her delightful giggle. It may be that happy sound that I will miss most of all.
Always in my heart.
Dawn was a wonderful person. She was so interested in the world and those around her. Her kindness, thoughtfulness and energy truly made a difference in this world. One cannot help but feel enriched by knowing her.
My sincere condolences.
Dear Cameron family and friends
I am so sorry for your loss.
I was a member of the Dow Janes and echo others comments on what a wonderful person Dawn was. She always had a smile and a laugh was never far behind.
She was full of life and great stories.
Dear Stu and family. There are no words to express how much I will miss Dawn. For over 20 years she was in the front row of the fitness class I teach. She was a role model, a dear friend, a bridge partner and she loved to organize our Y fitness women’s luncheons. Her warm smile and kind words will be sorely missed. The world is a poorer place without her. Sending hugs.
Patti Hunter