Mary Jean 'Sam' Dawson

Mary "Sam" Jean Dawson (nee Gaten), 68, of Vermilion, died Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation after a short illness. She was born January 2, 1948 in Charleston, WV, and had been a Vermilion resident for the past 45 years moving from Cleveland area. Sam enjoyed caring for and spending time with her family. Besides being very family oriented, Sam also had a passion for rescuing cats. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, John "Deacon" Dawson; daughters, Elizabeth "Betsy" Burger, Tracy (Fred Kehl) Dawson, and Cindy Duprey all of Vermilion; grandchildren: Tara, Cody, Jessica, Eva, Jake, Kayla, and Ian; great-grandchildren: Adrian, Marleigh, and Maddax; brothers, Leo, Billy, Kevin, Neil, and Steve Gaten; and sisters, Judy Stuart, Susan Gaten, Teresa Slahor, and Ann Marie Brewster. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Virginia (nee Hunter) Gaten; granddaughter, Hunter Isabella Kehl; and sister, Margaret Gaten. The family will receive friends on Monday, Feb. 29, 2016 from 4pm until the time of a memorial service at 6pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, OH. The Reverend Ron Brickner will officiate. The family suggests memorial contributions to Love A Stray, P.O. Box 125, Avon Lake, OH 44012. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.