Dawn Angella Austin-Petgrave

Dawn Angella Austin-Petgrave was born on July 4, 1959 in Portland, Jamaica. She was the daughter of the late Thomas Clinton Austin and Thelma Geneva Austin. She was the eldest of four children. Her siblings include Marlene Austin-Francis, Coleen Austin-Aspinall, and Trevor Austin. Her parents immigrated to the United States of America, and she and her siblings were sent to live with their maternal grandparents Levi and Rosetta Francis, along with their cousins Sharon Cole Bailey and Owen Francis.

Dawn, Marlene, Coleen and Trevor soon joined their parents in New York City where Dawn attended Evander Childs High School in The Bronx. She was a member of the swim team at school and was quite popular. There, she established and maintained lasting friendships. Later, Dawn went to live with one of her high school friends, Elise Allen-Reid and her family. Dawn’s bond with the family was special and she became another daughter to the late Vera Alleyne, and sister to Marjorie Malcolm, Patricia Malcolm, Sonia Allen, Vixton Allen, Elise Allen-Reid and Jacqueline Thomas.

Dawn met Roy "Billy" Mayne as a teenager. The two were later married and had two sons, Gregory and Jeremy Mayne. Her boys were her pride and joy and she was a great mother to them. She worked hard to provide for them and made sure they had all they needed in life and more. She would even display motherly love to their schoolmates and became affectionately known to them as "Aunty Dawn". Her home was always opened to them and many felt well welcomed.

Dawn loved to entertain. The holidays at her house was the place to be, as you were entertained with good food and laughter. She loved to cook, and she cooked very well. She became well known for her fried fish, curry goat and chicken amongst other dishes. She was a great baker as well and her specialty was her Jamaican fruit cake and carrot cake. She loved to feed and nurture all those around her. She would cook breakfast, lunch and dinner and leftovers were only used as snacks because she would cook again the next day.

Dawn was a hard worker and had many talents. She worked as a cosmetologist and Certified Nursing Assistant for many years. She would address the needs of her patients and clients in such a way that she would be the most requested caregiver and hair stylist.

Dawn loved to dance and travel. She loved her family and she created family everywhere she went. Dawn loved to laugh and lived life to the fullest. She was also a good businesswoman. She would stretch a buck until it screamed but she never held back on spending it on others as she was a cheerful giver.

Dawn later met a wonderful man, Roy Petgrave. After they were married, Dawn went to Florida to live with her husband. People would come to know Roy as "my baby". They both loved each other very much. They spoiled each other. She would cook and cater to his wants and needs, and he spoiled her with his patience and his kindness. The two had a wonderful marriage, with love, memories and laughter along with the best entertainment. Two and a half years into their marriage, Dawn was diagnosed with cancer. She gave the news to her family with much calmness and assured everyone repeatedly, "I will be alright." Dawn told her family members that she would not worry but she would trust God in spite of her condition. She focused on reading and studying the bible and was baptized at The Hub International Church in Tamarac, Florida by her Pastor, Alex Waldo. Dawn assured us repeatedly that it was well with her soul. We are comforted knowing, that Dawn is with her Savior, and is no longer in pain. We are thankful to Almighty God that He has blessed us with Dawn for sixty years. To God be all the glory, honor and praise.

Dawn is survived by her beloved husband, two sons, mother, brother, sisters, sister in-law, brother in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandniece, grandnephew, aunt, stepchildren, God children, cousins as well as a host of friends.