Dawn passed away in Tampa, FL, on November 12th, 2016 after a courageous eight month long battle with bone cancer. Dawn was born in Campbell River, BC, and grew up in Lake Cowichan, BC. Dawn always remained very connected to her hometown and still has many lifelong friends who she visited every year at her cabin in Honeymoon Bay, BC. Dawn was happy to visit the lake one last time this summer to see her family, friends and the “Ya-Ya Sisterhood”.
Dawn attended Lamar University in Beaumont, TX, on a golf scholarship where she earned a degree in Education and All-American honours in 1983. After winning the Canadian Amateur later that year, Dawn’s dream became a reality when she qualified for the LPGA Tour in 1984. Dawn has 3 official LPGA victories; 1992 Kemper Open, 1995 HealthSouth Classic and the 1995 Tournament of Champions, as well as unofficial and world victories; the 1991 Korean Women’s Open, 1991 World Team Championship and the 1992 LPGA Match Play Championship. After retiring from the LPGA Tour in 2008, Dawn played on the Legends Tour and served on their Player Board until last November. She travelled the tours with a group of players, caddies and friends that were there from the beginning and never left her side through her entire battle. Dawn has been inducted into the BC Golf Hall of Fame, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, and has been nominated this year for the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. Dawn made Tampa, FL, her home in 1991 after she was introduced to her future husband. She represented Tampa Palms Golf & C.C. for 16 of her 25 years on Tour and also served on the Foundation Board of Florida Hospital.
Dawn is survived by her loving husband, James, and her son, Jimmy, who plays for the USF Men’s Golf Team; in-laws General James G. Jones and Sandy Jones, brothers John Coe and Mark Coe (Lorna), and niece Shelly Coe. Dawn was predeceased by her brother, Alan Coe, and her parents, Jack and Edie Coe. Dawn wanted to thank Kelly Feltrin, Lisa Walters, Nancy Scranton and Gail Graham for their unending support for her and her family during this tough time. The days, weeks and months you spent with her, the trips to treatments, and the gentle messages, greatly helped Dawn and the family during this time. A debt of gratitude must be given to Moffitt Comprehensive Cancer Center in Tampa, FL, for giving Dawn the best care possible against this rare cancer. Their professionalism and compassion are greatly appreciated.
A celebration of life will be held at the Lake Cowichan Centennial Hall on Sunday, December 18th, 2016, at 2:00pm.
In lieu of cards and flowers, the family asks that donations
be made to Ronald McDonald House BC, 4567 Heather Street, Vancouver BC, V5Z 0C9.