Catherine Jane Dawn

Catherine Jane Dawn, born January 3, 1952, passed away on March 24, 2026, at the age of 74. After this first introduction, everyone knew her simply as Cathy—and if you didn’t know her yet, you were likely about to join her circle.

Cathy was the daughter of Vada Paige and Claude "Tinsey" Byrd. A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, she was a proud graduate of East Ridge High School, Class of 1970. Her senior year of high school, she met her soulmate, Gary Dawn, at "Bill's Teenage Club" on Brainerd Road. They married on August 12th, 1972, and lived an incredible life together for nearly 54 years.

Together, they have two daughters, Heather Kunkewitz and Stephanie Mehta. Cathy was the most devoted mother to her girls- always protective and never letting a day go by without making sure they knew how much she loved them. She was the proudest grandmother to one grandson, Kiran Mehta, and she "loved him to the moon and back."

Cathy was a stay-at-home mom for many years, and then became a working mom, but her most consistent title was caregiver. She showed up, stepped in, and carried people through their hardest seasons, including her father, mother, mother-in-law, and brother. When her younger sister passed away suddenly, she did not hesitate to open her home to her nephew, Troy Bryant, who quickly became more a son. She did it the way she did everything: with determination, love, and the kind of practical, steady strength that didn’t ask for applause.

In retirement, Cathy focused on what mattered most to her—family, friends, and the simple pleasures that somehow always looked like the best kind of fun when she was in charge. She loved girls’ trips, watching her grandson play baseball, spending time with her daughters, weekends around the pool, and playing cards in the gazebo with her husband. Above all, she loved having parties. Her happiest moments were the ones where the house was full, the laughter was loud, and she was surrounded by the people she loved—preferably with a glass of red wine in her hand.

Cathy never met a stranger. She welcomed people into her home with open arms. If you were her friend, you were her family—and if you were her family, you already knew you were the center of her world. Nothing was more important to her than the people she loved, and she had a gift for making everyone around her feel included, seen, and claimed.

Cathy fought an extraordinarily brave battle with cancer. Those who loved her always knew she was strong, but she still managed to surpass everyone’s expectations. She kept a positive attitude even in the hardest of times, rarely complaining and still finding joy in life. In her final days, she was surrounded by family and friends—exactly where she belonged.

The family will receive friends at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home on April 1, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A private celebration of life will be held on a later date.

Please share your thoughts and memories of Cathy online at www.chattanoogaeastchapel.com

Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel has been entrusted with her arrangements.