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Margaret Stephenia Wizbicki Dawson
03/14/1915 — 01/04/2008
From West, Richland, WA, US | Born in Olympia, Washington
Margaret Stephenia Wizbicki Dawson
Margaret Stephenia Wizbicki Dawson, 92, of West Richland, died peacefully at Kadlec Medical Center on January 4 after suffering a stroke the previous evening.
She was born on March 14, 1915, in Olympia, Washington, the third daughter of Felicia Nagurska and John Wizbicki, formerly of Poland. She was the valedictorian of the Olympia High School Class of 1933. She was an accomplished concert pianist and music teacher. She received a music scholarship to Whitman College that she was unable to accept because of lack of funding during the Great Depression.
While working as a bookkeeper at Montgomery Ward in Olympia, she met and later married her life-long hero, Grover W. Dawson, formerly of Aromas and Watsonville, California. They moved around the state as Grover accepted various store manager positions with the company. In 1949 Grover resigned, built Dawson-Richards Men’s and Boys’ Clothing the first store to open in Uptown Richland, and they moved to Richland. Margaret managed all of the finances for the new business and enjoyed gardening and driving their children to dance rehearsals, play practices, and sports practices and events. In 1978, they sold the store and moved to a new home that they built in West Richland, where she resided until her death. She was a member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Grover 1980, her parents, her two elder sisters, and her grandson Richard Drake Dawson 1996. She is survived by their three children: daughter Stephanie Dawson Janicek George of West Richland and their children Jeff, Jennifer, and Joshua, and grandchildren Brittani, Taylor, Savannah, and Peter; son Jeff Dawson Carolyn of West Richland and their children Spring, Luke, Jamie, and Roger, and grandchildren Cassidy, Jayden, Victor, Jared, Jade, and Nik; and son Gaynor Dawson Sheri of West Richland and their children Melinda, Grant, Kelly, and Brian, and grandchildren Jocelyn, Owen, and Micah. She also is survived by her very special niece Wally Jan Sherrard Bob of Everett and their children and grandchildren, by her sister-in-law Ruth Dawson McHugh and her children and grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her very good friends Betty Fran Rish of Richland, Claude and Ora Houghtaling of Desert Aire, and Jack and Coral Peterson of Olympia also survive her. Mom was Dad’s rock and our angel on earth. Now she is with Dad for all eternity.
At her wish, there will be no services.
Cremation will be under the direction of Einan’s Funeral Home. The family wishes to thank the Tri-Cities Hospice at the Chaplaincy for their assistance and support; donations in Margaret’s name may be sent to Hospice at the Chaplaincy, 2108 West Entiat Avenue, Kennewick, WA.
I first want to send my condolences to everybody in the Dawson family. The last time I saw Mrs. Dawson was at my father’s service. It was great to see her! I have known the Dawsons all of my life. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson treated me like one of the family. I know my parents really cherished their friendship. I will always appreciate their kindness! Mrs. Dawson was a great lady.
Dear Dawson Family,
Our entire family wishes you our sincere condolences upon the loss of Margaret. The world is not the same without her. She was a true lady and we will miss just knowing that she is no longer physically in your presence.
It is sad to see our parents getting on in age although we have been blessed to have our elders around us as long as they have been.
We will think of Margaret often just as we continue to remember Grover, both of them with the highest of regards.
Bruce LePage and Family
To George and Stephanie Janicek:
Memories of Dawson Richards:
Having grown up in Richland, the Uptown Dawson Richards store always had special meaning for me. It was simply “the best place in town” to shop for clothes. Dawson Richards was our hometown equivalent of Saville Row. For a young man, wearing a “Thunderbird” sweater purchased at Dawson Richards, of course to school was “the” mark of good taste. The store was always the first stop for “serious occasions” such as a special date, a prom or graduation. Thanks to the Dawsons for bringing a dignified elegance to our simple lives. Forget New York, London, or Paris…Dawson Richards was the best clothing store in the world. Ed Ruff, RHS 1968.
Guestbook for
Margaret Stephenia Wizbicki Dawson