Obituary of Barbara D. Dawson

Barbara D. (Wolff) Dawson, 80 years of age, passed away peacefully Friday, April 11, 2014, at the John Scott Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Braintree. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mabel Wolff. Born in Boston, Nov. 13, 1933, she was a Braintree resident for 56 years. Barbara graduated from North Quincy High School, Class of 1951, and from Bridgewater State Teachers College, Class of 1955. She became the bride of James D. Dawson, on April 14, 1956. Having been a graduate of Bridgewater State Teachers College, she became a teacher of 4th and 5th grades in Weymouth schools. Because of her love and responsibilities of her family, she resigned from the Weymouth School System and became a teacher at Totland College, a nursery school in Braintree connected with the Union Congregational Church of Weymouth and Braintree. Her teaching at Totland College ensured that she was home each day on hand to greet her children when they returned from school. Barbara was chosen as Mother of the Year by the Braintree Observer for her dedication to her family and community. She was a volunteer driver in the Fish Organization, served as a volunteer at South Shore Hospital, and was a substitute at the Morrison School Library. Barbara manifested her love for babies demonstrated by her connection with the Division of Child Guardianship and by being a foster parent. Barbara received the Union Congregational Church Person of the Year awarded in 1987. She was a member of the church choir, Bell Ringers, Mothers and Couples Club, the Flower Circle, and the group preparing dinners for the church. She enjoyed hot air balloon flights. Barbara traveled to Western Europe, South America, the Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii with her husband. Barbara is survived by her husband, James D. Dawson to whom she had been married to for 58 years; and their children, James D. Dawson and his wife Rosangela of Weymouth, Beth D. Livingston and her husband Robert of Huntington Beach, Calif., and John D. Dawson and his wife Deborah of East Bridgewater. She is also survived by six grandchildren. Visiting hours were held at the Mortimer N. Peck-Russell Peck Funeral Home, 516 Washington Street, Braintree, Tuesday, April 15, from 4-8 p.m. A funeral service was held at the Union Congregational Church of Weymouth and Braintree, 74 Commercial Street, East Braintree, Wednesday, April 16, at 10:30 a.m. Burial at Braintree Cemetery. Memorial donations may be sent to the Memorial Fund of the Union Congregational Church of Weymouth and Braintree, East Braintree, MA 02184.