Obituary of Gabrielle Dawson

Gabrielle Commerford Dawson slipped away peacefully in her 100th year on Sunday, October 16. Born on April 20, 1917 in Hamilton, Ontario, the fifth of six children, Gaby moved to the United States when her father was sent to New York to manage a Canadian bank on Wall Street. Growing up in New Rochelle, N.Y., Gaby was a sickly child. So no one would ever have bet she’d be the longest living Dawson ever. The longest before that – her paternal grandmother – only made it to 96. After Congress approved the formation of a United States women’s naval reserve in 1942, Gaby, already a graduate nurse, applied to join the WAVES but was rejected. “Try the Army,” she was advised. “They’d be happy to have you.” “Well,” said Gaby, “I wouldn’t be happy to have the Army.” The Armed Forces loss was nursing’s gain. Graduating from St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in New York City, Gaby spent many years working in the inner city hospital, rising to head pediatric nurse. Later, she joined the nursing staff at B. Altman & Co., a New York department store chain that had its own on-site staff medical clinic. When she retired, she was the head nursing supervisor overseeing all its stores. A natural athlete who loved to swim and canoe, Gaby was the original Chatty Cathy, never at a loss of words, never shy to tell you what she thought. Although she never married, children charmed, delighted and amused her. Always. Something her “brood” of 9 nieces and nephews, followed by 16 grandnieces and grandnephews, followed by 24 great grandnieces and great grandnephews can attest to since she cheerfully regaled us all with our youthful escapades whenever possible. Told recently she had a great, great grandniece, she was as excited as if Scarlett were the very first. Family was truly the center of Gaby’s life. She spent years lovingly caring for her parents and her three older sisters. Nothing was ever too much trouble. Whatever they needed, this devoted daughter and sister did her best to provide. So it came as a shock a few years ago when there was no one left to look after but herself – someone she’d never thought about putting first. Moving to Sunrise helped fill that gap. It was her terrific niece Tina, a born and bred Jersey gal, who found Sunrise and as the closest family member danced attendance on Gaby – and her wardrobe – over the next decade. Hat’s off to her and to the Sunrise family of medical staff and aides who befriended and assisted her as age and failing eyesight made inroads on her independence. Thank you one and all. I know we all – her relatives and her Sunrise family – had hoped Gaby would live to celebrate her 100th birthday. But she had a long, long life. Many laughs. Some tears. To the end, she had her wits and her appetite. She was a tour de force. We'll all miss her – and hope we, too, have her great genes.