Dawn Downing

Dawn Crystal Downing, the youngest child of the late Robert and Arlene Downing was born on June 8, 1957 in the Bronx, New York. She attended public schools in the Bronx and later on got her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Education from the City University of New York’s Hunter College. She continued her studies and got a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education, and in summation of her education Dawn has attained a Masters Plus degree standing. She was employed by the New York City Board of Education from 1982 to 1997 where she taught at schools in the Bronx. Her last school was at P.S. 146 in the Bronx where she was both a general education and special education teacher. In 1997 she left New York to start a new life in Kissimmee, Florida with her family.

Dawn taught at Valencia Community College in Orlando. She also worked at Cypress Elementary School as a kindergarten teacher and a special education teacher. Dawn’s colleagues always saw her as a leader as she was the Kindergarten Chairperson for two years at Cypress Elementary School. In August 2010 she was invited to evolve her teaching legacy at a new school, East Lake Elementary School in Kissimmee where she was a part of the opening staff and taught kindergarten students.

Dawn loved to mentor and nurture children which was her calling in life. She was often referred to as “Auntie Dawn.” As a parent Dawn valued the educational future of her two children by always working extensively with them and being involved with their schooling as they were growing up. When her children were going through the worst, especially when they felt that things would not get better in their lives, she was there for them all the time and they knew that they could always turn to her with their problems. One of her proudest moments was when her son, Christian, was accepted into Law School and her daughter, Jessica, recently graduated from high school. Dawn enjoyed traveling and she always made sure her children visited someplace new. Her children meant everything to her and she sacrificed a great deal to ensure they lead prosperous lives in everything they did from sending them to the best schools to assuring that they lived in the best communities.

Dawn was truly a survivor who overcame many obstacles in life and always landed on her feet. As a Christian she loved The Lord and served Him. Her strong faith in The Lord was passed onto her two children. When she lived in New York she was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and taught Sunday School. In Kissimmee she became a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and attended regularly with her family. Dawn had a passion for reading books, dining out, collecting coins, helping others, the acquisition of knowledge, completing crossword puzzles, watching Family Feud and CSI, teaching children, going to the movies and always providing for a better life for her two children. Her favorite color was purple.

Dawn departed this life on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 after a long illness. She leaves to cherish the memories: her son, Christian and daughter, Jessica; five sisters: Angela, Juliet, Barbara, Cynthia and Adrienne; nieces: Denise, Nancy, Brenda, Vanessa, Tiffany, Caressa and Cherise; great nieces: Ketura, Corinne, Brooke, Minyara and great nephews: Terrence, Joshua, Andre, Uche, M’Kai, and Josiah; a great great niece: Cheyenne and several other family members and friends.

Done in Sorrow

The Family

Arrangements under the direction of Family Funeral Care, Orlando, FL.