Lois Anne (Felder) Dawson

Surrounded by the love of her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandson, Mother slipped gracefully into the arms of her loving angels. Lois Anne was born at home on the Felder Ranch in Sonoma, the only child of Louis and Anne Felder. Known fondly to her family as "Tina", she grew up with cousins Joe Jr., Shirley, Leo Jr., Norman and Corolla on the family ranch established by their Swiss immigrant grandparents Joseph and Theresa. The cousins attended Watmaugh School getting there by horse drawn wagon. When Lois started second grade she met Richard Dawson, "the new third grade boy at school". At the start of Lois' third grade year she was enrolled in St. Rose School in Santa Rosa. She would stay the school years (third - eighth) at nearby Ursuline Convent, going home on weekends and summers. The Ursuline nuns were also her teachers at St. Rose and Lois was known to sneak under the fence of the boys' playground to play basketball with Jack DeMeo, they became lifelong friends. Lois attended Sonoma Valley High with her cousins driven to school by the only one that had a car, Leo Jr., they picked up Richard Dawson on the way. Reunited at school, Richard and Lois became high school sweethearts. They married in 1951 and for the next 60 years, they never left each other's side. Richard served in the Air Force during the Korean War, there were moves, baby Diane was born and the budget was lean. Lois already knew her way in the kitchen having grown up in a large family with a commercial dairy, beef cattle, goats, geese, chickens, fruit trees, and gardens. She could cook, can food, bake and garden. Teaching herself to sew, she made clothes for the family. While stationed in Riverside they lived next door to Mel and Mary Meska. The two men served, Lois and Mary each having a baby girl helped each other make ends meet and forged a lasting family friendship. Returning to Sonoma after Richard's discharge, baby Stacey was born, a move to San Jose followed. Richard worked nights, Lois did his homework for morning classes, he slept in afternoons, she kept house, baby Carrie was born and Richard earned his B.A. In 1961, the Dawsons moved to Hall Road and never left. The first person to welcome them was neighbor Phyllis Welsh, showing up at the door with a brand new broom for Lois, the two of them raising their families in friendship that deepened over 60 years. When the girls were all of school age Lois went to night classes to get her Real Estate License, she was successful as an Agent and Property Manager for over 35 years; with an acute sense of fairness, integrity and twinkling blue eyes, she took care of many property owners and tenants making many dear friends along the way all while staying actively involved in the girl's lives. Cupcakes, balloons, a carload of kids, and Gypsy the dog always made it to school on time. Mother's joyous love was natural and endless, as her daughters we were cherished but not spoiled. She was playful- and we played hard- life lessons were always intertwined. We were taught to respect Mother Nature as our spiritual guide. No T.V. meant ritual trips to the public library- fostering a love of books. Mother shared her intelligence with us by relishing the role of Devil's advocate. She'd frustrate and checkmate us into to looking at any given situation as a whole, especially if we sisters were fighting. She believed in us, constantly nudging us to go beyond the limits in all facets of life. There was nothing her deeply loving embrace and soft words could not fix. On the first day of every school year Mother reminded us to look for someone who was alone, to be a friend to them - and we did. Lois is survived by daughters Diane Haskell, Stacey (Steve) Egger, Carrie Buratto; grandchildren Tessa(Brian)Matuszak, Ellen Thomsen, Francesca (Dusty) Doeding, Mason Thomsen, Louis Buratto and Taryn Parmeter, great grandson Hollis Batista Matuszak. Sister in law Jeanette Hope, cousins Gary Felder, Shirley Glashoff, Leo Felder Jr., and by the families of: Joe Jr. (Theone) Felder, Norman (Gerry) Felder, Peter (Gloria) Dawson, Sandy (Bill) Morgantini, Saralynn (Mike) Benzon , Sarabeth (Dale) Folkins, Joe Jr. (Stacy) Buratto, Anne Marie (Tony) Falbo, Doug (Michelle) Fleming, George (Maureen) Radford. Loyal neighbors Jose and Carmen Lemus , Jonathan Edmunds and Kasey. Our family extends their deepest gratitude to Excellent Care and caregivers Vini, Mere, Vivita, Mariah, Nora and OShannon; because of their superior care, Lois was able to live at home until the last three months of her life. Lois was blessed to come into loving care at Hanna House where she received emotional spiritual and medical help at an exceptional level provided by Kerrie and Dave Hanna. To them and their staff we are thankful forever. Lois was predeceased by her beloved husband Richard sons-in-law Stephan Haskell, and Joseph Buratto Sr., both of whom she loved deeply and missed terribly. Please join us to celebrate the life well lived by Lois for a luncheon at the Swiss Hotel in Sonoma on Thursday August 9, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.

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