Dawn Hynes

Dawn Hynes, 79, formerly of Staten Island and Cape May, NJ, whose life was a model of devotion to family, friends and education, died Sept. 18 in the Mira Vie at Fanwood assisted living center, Fanwood, NJ, of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Dawn was born in the Tompkinsville section of Staten Island and moved to the West Brighton neighborhood as a child. She graduated from Curtis High School and earned a bachelor’s degree at Wagner College, followed by a master’s degree at Kean College of New Jersey (now Kean University). She was captain of the cheerleading squads at both Curtis and Wagner, and was president of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She and her husband lived in Bay Terrace, Staten Island, before settling in the Willowbrook neighborhood in 1974, then moving from Staten Island to Cape May in 2002.

Dawn worked as a New York City public school teacher for 34 years, teaching in several schools before settling in PS 39, South Beach, for the last two decades of her career. She supported thousands of students as a classroom and music teacher, and served as a mentor and trusted colleague to many fellow educators. Outside of school, Dawn filled various community roles, from Sunday School superintendent to Cub Scout den leader to Curtis High reunion co-chair. During the 1990s, Dawn was also an active member of Al-Anon on Staten Island, and supported various individuals whose lives had been impacted by family and friends struggling with the effects of alcoholism.

In 2002, Dawn and her husband, Thomas, moved full-time to Cape May, where they continued their civic involvement. Dawn volunteered for the Kiwanis Club, Coast Guard Auxiliary and Cape May Garden Club. She and her husband also traveled to destinations such as Australia, Iceland, Ireland and Alaska. Dawn was a devotee of classic movies, Broadway musicals, Neil Diamond, Motown music, and the New York Yankees, but most of all she loved spending time with her granddaughters.

Dawn is predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Thomas Hynes, and by her parents, Richard Warren Mueller and Beverly (Schmutz) Mueller. She is survived by her two sons, Warren Hynes of North Plainfield, NJ, and Eric Hynes of East Williamsburg, Brooklyn; her daughter-in-law, Amy (Cumming) Hynes; and her two beloved granddaughters, Katherine (Katie) Hynes and Chelsea Hynes.

Dawn was known by family, friends and colleagues as one of the most caring and giving individuals they had ever met. She sent birthday gifts to dozens of loved ones, kept a “God Box” with prayers for individuals she cared about, and never hesitated to make a phone call, grab a lunch, or take an overnight trip with friends and family.

“Our mom was selflessness personified,” Warren and Eric Hynes said. “She spent every day trying to be of use to others. Her legacy is found in Maya Angelou’s famous quote: ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ Dawn made everyone feel better by being part of their lives.”

Dawn lived for more than 50 years with rheumatoid arthritis and, despite numerous surgeries, never complained about her pain. She also lived with Alzheimer’s for more than five years. The family asks that anyone wishing to contribute to Dawn’s memory make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Arthritis Foundation, in lieu of flowers.

Dawn’s family will hold visiting hours at Casey Funeral Home, 350 Slosson Avenue, Staten Island, on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 4-8 p.m. In addition, the family will hold a celebration of Dawn’s life on Thursday, Oct. 1. All who wish to join us on Oct. 1 are asked to email Warren at [email protected] or call or text Warren, Eric or Amy to make sure we have plenty of food for all who wish to attend.

Dawn loved the color purple, and all are welcome to wear something purple with us in tribute to her and to Alzheimer’s awareness.