Dec 8, 1955 - May 24, 2024December 8, 1955 - May 24, 2024
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Encino, Los Angeles, CA
Georgetown, TX
Colleen loved crocheting blankets for others based on the recipient's favorite color. Her first crochet project was a purple blanket for her daughter Kari, followed by creating beautiful quilts for her Olivia and Emma. Colleen played the cello for four years in high school and always wanted to pick it back up as an adult. Colleen loved playing with dogs. She appreciated the unconditional love and comfort dogs innately gave to their human parents. Colleen was big into adult coloring books, a hobby that started after her knee surgery when Kari bought her a lighthearted and funny knee replacement-themed coloring book for adults. Kari mentioned that Colleen easily had a dozen coloring books in her apartment. Colleen loved to travel. For three weeks, she went to Italy, specifically Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Venice, and other regional hotspots. Kari says Colleen's Italian journey was “a life-changing experience." It was Colleen's first international trip, which she took with two good friends. She had a ton of fun and especially appreciated Italy's rich history and culture! Colleen also went on adventures in Belgium, Mexico, and Jamaica.
Olivia mentioned how much she and Emma enjoyed their sleepover tradition with their beloved Bubbie, which included a morning visit to a local Mexican restaurant for breakfast. Olivia said with a smile, "Bubbie never got the same thing and was open to trying new stuff."
Colleen always wanted to help people. Even before she embarked on her 25-year career as a nurse, she was good at caregiving. Colleen's kindness, which her loved ones say was the hallmark of her personality, undoubtedly made her a fantastic nurse and friend. Her daughter Kari says, "She was a great friend and a great listener, and she would go out of her way to help people." For example, while living at Mariposa at River Bend, a 55+ apartment community in Georgetown, Texas, Colleen enjoyed helping fellow tenants with their technology and, of course, as a dog lover, volunteered to dog-sit. Over the years, she tapped into her decades of nursing experience to help friends within Mariposa cope with different medical issues. She'd assist with medical dressings, give injections to those nervous about doing it themselves, and help educate people on their conditions. Colleen's study of the Bible enhanced her desire to become a better and kinder person. She loved getting her questions answered from the Bible, which subsequently built her hope for the future. As the years progressed forward, so did Colleen's faith and hope. As intrinsic kindness was to Colleen's personality, so were these two additional beautiful qualities: faith and loyalty. She loved sharing the Bible-based comforting hope she gained with co-workers, neighbors, and others she met daily. The Scriptural promises were so real to Colleen that they were "as good as done" in her lifetime. She looked forward to the resurrection of her "Bubbie" (grandma), whom she was very close with and loved very much, and the resurrection of her parents. Colleen, an avid swimmer who spent hours in pools in California and Texas, was eager to swim with blue whales in the earthly paradise foretold in the Bible. Her faith never faltered throughout her life. She relied on Jehovah daily to help her through her different trials. Colleen's faith stayed intact until her final days with us, and her darling granddaughter Emma especially took notice. Emma mentioned that along with the kindness and sense of humor her dear "Bubbie" had, she also wanted to imitate her zeal in sharing her Bible-based hope with others. Colleen's other darling granddaughter, Olivia, laughs, "In Paradise, I would love to bake with Bubbie. When she's resurrected, we're going to have a big party. Since she loved practical jokes, we'll do one on her! We'll make a double-decker cake with chocolate - and put frosting in a balloon."
Traveling, playing practical jokes and spending time with her beloved family.
Italy and anywhere with family.
Colleen Michelle Dawson, affectionately known as "Bubbie" by two of her grandkids, Olivia and Emma, fell asleep in death on May 24, 2024, at the age of 68. Born on December 8, 1955, in Encino, California, Colleen spent her final years in Georgetown, Texas.
Colleen was a woman of many passions and talents. She had a knack for crocheting and spent countless hours creating beautiful blankets and quilts for her loved ones, each personalized with the recipient's favorite colors. She also deeply loved playing the cello, which she pursued for four years in high school and always dreamed of picking up again as an adult.
Dogs held a special place in Colleen's heart, and she treasured the unconditional love and comfort they brought to their human companions. She found cheer in adult coloring books, a hobby that began after knee surgery and grew into a collection of a dozen coloring books. Traveling was another great joy in Colleen's life. She embarked on memorable adventures in Italy, Belgium, Mexico, and Jamaica, but Italy held a special place in her heart. Her three-week journey through Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Venice, and other regions left a lasting impression on her as she immersed herself in the rich history and culture.
Colleen's defining traits throughout her life were kindness, faith, and loyalty to her Heavenly Father, Jehovah. She always wanted to help others and became a nurse, where her caregiving skills shone brightly for 25 years. Colleen's loved ones remember her as a great listener and an incredible friend, always willing to go out of her way to assist those in need. For example, while living at Mariposa at River Bend, a 55+ apartment community in Georgetown, Texas, Colleen enjoyed helping fellow tenants with their technology, assisted in easing some of their medical concerns, and, as a dog lover, volunteered to dog-sit.
Colleen loved getting her questions answered from the Bible, which subsequently built her hope for the future. As the years progressed, so did Colleen's faith and hope. As intrinsic kindness was to Colleen's personality, so were faith and loyalty. Drawing strength and comfort from the Bible, Colleen shared her faith and hope with co-workers, neighbors, and others she met daily. The Scriptural promises were so real to Colleen that they were "as good as done" in her lifetime. She looked forward to the resurrection of her "Bubbie" (grandma), whom she was very close with and loved very much, and being reunited with her parents. Colleen, an avid swimmer who spent hours in pools in California and Texas, was eager to swim with blue whales in the earthly Paradise foretold in the Bible. She relied on Jehovah daily to help her through her different trials. Colleen's faith stayed intact until her final days with us, and her darling granddaughter Emma especially took notice. Emma mentioned that along with the kindness and sense of humor her dear Bubbie had, she also wanted to imitate her zeal in sharing her bright hope with others.
Olivia laughs, "In Paradise, I would love to bake with Bubbie. When she's resurrected, we're going to have a big party. Since she loved practical jokes, we'll do one on her! We'll make a double-decker cake with chocolate - and put frosting in a balloon."
Colleen was preceded in death by her father, Irwin Foster, and mother, Annette. Colleen is survived by her son Kevin Dawson, daughter Kari Parish (husband Troy Parish), and her grandchildren Antonia, Olivia, and Emma, whom she adored. She also leaves behind her sister Janet Picard (husband Matt Picard), brother Craig Foster (wife Michelle Foster), and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.
Colleen Dawson's kind essence, unwavering faith, and boundless love will be dearly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. In the days ahead, we will continue to reflect on Colleen's positive impact on our lives. And as we await her resurrection in the future, we take comfort in knowing she's safe in the memory of her Best Friend, Jehovah, who yearns to bring her back to life in perfect health.
Job 14:14, 15: "If a man dies, can he live again? I will wait all the days of my compulsory service
Until my relief comes. You will call, and I will answer you. You will long for the work of your hands."
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Encino, Los Angeles, CA
Georgetown, TX