Evelyn M Dawson

Evelyn Mae Dawson passed away peacefully the evening of August 28th in Visalia. Evelyn was the youngest child born to Peter and Mary Jacobs of Visalia on September 12, 1926 and grew up on South Garden Avenue, along with her six sisters and brother. She attended and graduated from George McCann Catholic School and from Visalia Union High School.

She met and married Donald Dawson of Orosi and settled into life in the country where she lived until 1986. Evelyn and Donald raised six children in Orosi and had many happy years at their farm outside of town.

During her years in Orosi, Evelyn was kept busy raising children, and yet found time for volunteering for the PTA, the Cub and Boy Scouts, and teaching Cachetism. She worked as a Math Teaching Aide at Palm School, and of course, had all the many responsibilities that owning a farm entailed. She was a fabulous cook, and enjoyed sewing, gardening, and preserving fruits and vegetables.

After her husband, Donald passed away in 1985 Evelyn moved back to Visalia. She found much joy in volunteering for the Kaweah Delta Auxiliary, the Pillow Pals Sewing Group, the Food Link Distribution, and the VFW Auxiliary. The time she spent with her friends at these organizations were some of her happiest. She acted as a Eucharist Minister for the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, socialized with her wonderful neighbors, and visited her morning coffee buddies at McDonald’s on Mooney Blvd.

Evelyn loved her family, and most especially enjoyed interacting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who visited her regularly and gave her many smiles.

Evelyn is pre-deceased by her husband Donald Dawson, brother, Mike Jacobs and sisters, Mary Foster, Annie Zens, Genevieve Jacobs, Rita MacLennan, Margaret Beckwith and Kelly Feltes.

She leaves her six children, Kenneth Dawson of Fresno (Lauren), James Dawson of San Diego (Debra), Charles Dawson of Turlock, (Roxanne), Karen Wenaas of San Diego (Eric), Debra Esquivel of Visalia, and Sandra Willems of Parkdale, Oregon, (Mark). She also leaves nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Evelyn will be missed by us all so much.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Visalia on Friday, September 2nd at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at Smith Mountain Cemetery in Dinuba. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Visalia or to one of the organizations that Evelyn cared for.

Arrangements under the direction of Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia, CA.