Dawn Iris Merritt

Dawn Iris Merritt, 90, died Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009, at Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 26 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry with interment following at Grandview Cemetery in Bonners Ferry.

Dawn was born June 8, 1919, in San Diego, Calif. At birth, she weighed 1.5  pounds. With the constant love and attention of two aunts, who were nurses, she grew and thrived.

Dawn married Edwin Merritt on Nov. 30, 1940, in Yuma, Ariz., with the happy couple returning to California in a few days. Dawn lived in Southern California her entire life.

Dawn was a cook for Camarillo State Hospital for about 25 years.

She was raised as a member of the Southern Baptist Church, but converted to Catholicism when she was 44 years old, following the conversion of her husband and two daughters.

Dawn was very active at Santa Clara and St. Anthony's parishes in Oxnard, Calif., and was a member of the Ladies Club in those parishes for 50 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband and youngest daughter, Roberta.

Dawn is survived by her daughter Janice Cowin of Bonners Ferry, and grandchildren Dawn Hackney of Bethel, Alaska; Edwin Cowin of Hayden; Guy Cowin, Mary Cowin and Amanda Elsberry, both of Bonners Ferry; Aaron Cowin and John Cowin, both of Tacoma, Wash.; Marshall Cowin of Hubbard, Ohio; and Toby Cowin of Elk, Wash.; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Family and friends may sign Dawn’s  book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Bonners Ferry Funeral Home is handling arrangements.