Dawn Marie Ciresi was born on December 17, 1966 in the very hospital that she would take her last breath on April 2, 2024.  In her, far too short, 57 years of excellence, Dawn accomplished a great deal.  She grew up in North St. Paul as an only child to her parents Pat and Tom, but raised amongst fiercely loyal cousins who shaped her into the courageous fighter she became.  As a child, Dawn was smart as a whip and loved reading.  Her dad always joked about her being so consumed by a book, that she would read through dinner at the dinner table.  She also developed her sense of humor at a young age, which probably comes as no surprise to those of you who have ever been at the receiving end of one of her quick witted come-backs.

By 20, she had married the love of her life.  Sure, Dawn and Kurt were young and faced some scrutiny about their decision to wed when they did.  But if you've ever once talked to Dawn, you know that when she makes up her mind about something, that's the end of that conversation.  Dawn and Kurt remained committed to one another through "the mac and cheese years," through the birth of five children, through financial struggle and job stress, and of course, through illness.   Dawn has always been a goal-setter, and Kurt has always helped her to reach those goals.

By 30, Dawn had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Rheumatoid Arthritis.  This meant that her body was attacking her joints, causing both acute pain flares and chronic pain.  She began medications, infusions, physical therapy, surgeries, all in an effort to continue pushing forward in life and not let her diagnosis stop her from reaching her goals.  After being diagnosed with RA, Dawn doubled down on her intention around her life goals.  She understood that tomorrow is not promised, and that it's important to grab life by the horns while you're feeling good, because you never know how you will feel tomorrow.  It is because of this understanding that Dawn has been all over the world.  It is because of this understanding that Dawn has accomplished some of the most complex recipes.  It is because of this understanding that Dawn never stopped fighting.

By 48, Dawn became a grandmother.  She hated being called that at first, because she was so young.  We had to call her "Glam-ma" for the first few months until Hailey came up with her own name for her.  Despite not loving the age-ism that came with being called a grandma, Dawn wholeheartedly embraced her granddaughter as an extension of herself.  She was Hailey's childcare when Andy and I were working full-time her first three years of life.  Now that being said, Dawn has always been a bit of a rebel.  She wasn't always the best influence on young Hailey.  After all, infant Hailey may or may not have learned to use a straw when Dawn shared her very highly caffeinated frappe with her.  But we are forever grateful for her giving that time to Hailey.

By 52, Dawn's RA had progressed to the point that she was no longer able to work or provide childcare consistently.  But she never slowed down.  She continuously worked on improvement.  Self-improvement, home-improvement, recipe perfecting, deal hunting, and discovering new places.  At 56 years old, Dawn had spent 2023 in Boston, Iceland, and finally a 3-week long trip to her favorite place, the UK.  She had one more trip planned in December, a trip to Vegas for her 57th birthday.

That about catches us up to where we are today, as the rest of this story is detailed in previous journal posts.  Yesterday, surrounded by family and love, Dawn took her last breath.  She is now without pain, without suffering.  But that does not make what happened make any sense.  It does not take away the pain of those still living through this loss.  We will see her again, and we are so happy that she is with loved ones who have gone before her.  But until we meet again, Dawn, you will be missed more than words can convey.  The you-shaped hole in our hearts will gape until that day.  

Thank you all for your care.  We would love to see you at Dawn's celebration of life:

Thursday, April 11th at 11am.  Visitation 1 hr prior, and reception to follow.  North Haven Church, North St. Paul.  Visit Sandberg Funeral Home's website for her obituary and service information.  

To my MILLY - I love you forever and ever.
Julie Marka, DILLY