Sydna Dawn Martin Westbrook, 46, went home to her Lord and Savior on May 20, 2019 after living for 14 years with stage 4 colon cancer. Dawn was born in Raleigh on September 28, 1972. She graduated from Cary High School, received a BS in Health from East Carolina University, a nursing certificate from Watts School of Nursing in Durham, and a Master’s Degree in Health Administration from Pheifer University. She started at Rex Hospital and then spent most of her career at Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC.
For many years she led a large team of friends to participate in Raleigh’s annual “Get Your Rear in Gear” 5K for colon cancer awareness. Dawn was also active in the United Methodist Women Unit at FUMC-Cary. She was a founding member of the Sarah Circle, and worked for the children’s consignment sale and other fundraising endeavors. She volunteered her therapy dog, Coco, to listen to the children at the church’s Mighty Monday after school program read to her.
Dawn was always smiling, always willing to help, and always a friend. Her smile was beautiful and engaging.
She is survived by husband, Christopher Douglas Westbrook; mother, Sydna J. Martin; brother, Lorrin David Martin & wife, Anisa Cott; mother-in-law, Alice Faye Westbrook; father-in-law, Douglas Alfred Westbrook; brother-in-law, Alexander Westbrook & wife, Laura; sister-in-law, Tasha Bollin & husband, Chris; 2 nieces and 4 nephews. Dawn was predeceased by her father, Lorrin F. (Larry) Martin.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm on Thursday, May 23rd at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 24th at 11 am at First United Methodist Church in Cary, reception immediately following the service. A graveside service will be held later that afternoon at 3pm at Raleigh Memorial Park (7501 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612).
Memorials may be made to Second Chance Pet Adoptions (6003 Chapel Hill Road #133, Raleigh, NC 27607), Colon Cancer Coalition (5666 Lincoln Drive #270, Edina, MN 55436) or First United Methodist Church of Cary, 117 S. Academy Street, Cary, NC 27511.
