Catherine Sutton Dawson, daughter of the late Mollie and Charlie Jones was born in LaGrange, North Carolina on December 31, 1947. She departed this world on Wednesday June 3, 2009 peacefully in her home.
Cathey, as she was known to family and friends, believed that each of us has a responsibility to play an active role in our community. Catherine Sutton Dawson began employment at Yale New-Haven Hospital (YNHH) on November 4, 1974. She worked in various roles including food service worker, clinic aide, nurses’ aide and finally as outreach worker in the Maternal Child Initiative in the Department of Community Health. She became a Quarter Century Club member in 2000, and her tenure spanned nearly 35 years of employment. She worked as an outreach educator in the “Me and my Baby” program of the Primary Care Center from 1981 until her passing. In 2007, Catherine was among the first to be honored in the “I am YNHH” Campaign highlighting model employees. Catherine was an active citizen in the New Haven community and supported causes that made a positive contribution to our society. She was a member of St. Matthew’s UFWB Church. Catherine had an infectious spirit of enthusiasm. While working hard for YNHH, Catherine met and eventually married her husband of 21 years, Anthony B. Dawson. In addition to her loving husband, Catherine leaves a devoted daughter, Toni Alexis Dawson; two beautiful grandsons, Frank Jr. and Amir Daniley and their father, Frank Daniley, Sr., all of New Haven. Catherine is also survived by her sister, Mildred (Milton) Cannon of New Haven, CT and a brother, J.P. (Nina) Jones of La Grange, NC.
She was predeceased by one sister; Mary Jones and three brothers; Charlie Jr., Linwood, and Roger Jones.
A celebration of Catherine’s life and legacy will be held Monday, June 8, 2009, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Matthew’s UFWB Church, 400 Dixwell Ave., New Haven. Friends may call at the church Sunday from 5:00 – 6:30 P.M. with a service of tribute and celebration to be held from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. Burial will be in Beaverdale Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the “Me and My Baby” Program at the Primary Care Center of the Yale New Haven Hospital, 20 York St., New Haven 06510. Professional services entrusted to Curvin K. Council Funeral Home, 128 Dwight St., New Haven. Online guestbook available at www.curvinkcouncil.com
The Barker-Joseph and Lumpkin families send our deepest condolences to Tony and family. We remember Cathy as someone so full of energy, who genuinely cared about improving the lives of children and she wanted to do things that made a difference in the community.
She will be missed!