Dorothy Cecilia Dawson

Died at home on December 13th, 2025 with her daughter Laura by her side.  Born in Montreal, Dorothy was the daughter of the late William Edward and Cecilia Dawson and the last surviving member of her siblings, Margaret, Paul, Hilda, Mary, Leo, MaryAnn (Agnes), William Joseph and Joan.

Dorothy is survived by her children Cecilia (David), Graham, Laura, Sheila (Fred) and Meg, 17 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Dorothy was predeceased by her sons Barry, David and Michael Douglas Burgess as well as their father Donald Burgess.

A long time resident of Saint John, Dorothy retired as a registered nurse (class of 1949 St Michael's Hospital, Toronto) at St. Joseph's Hospital where she was an active member of the New Brunswick Nurses Union and the 1994 recipient of the Glenna Powsell Award.  She wholeheartedly supported and was active in many organizations including Meals on Wheels, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #69, Elizabeth Fry Society, Homeless Women's Shelter Service, Saint John Labour Community Services, Atlantic Health Services Corporation (Region 2), Catholic Network for Women's Equality, Parrtown Community Correctional Centre and Amnesty International among others.

Visitation will be held at Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road, Saint John, NB E2J 2G3 (506-646-2424) on Thursday, February 5th, 2026 from 6-8 p.m; a Legion tribute service will take place at 7:00pm. Funeral service will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 91 Waterloo St, Saint John, N.B. E2L 3P9 at 12 noon on Friday, February 6th, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Barry Burgess Memorial Bursary at St. Thomas University, Fredericton, or the charity of your choice.