In Memory of Dawn Reeves to help Cassandra Reeves

It is with profound sadness that we have to share the sudden death of Dawn Dixon Reeves. She was rushed to the emergency room on April 7th, where she fought hard for a week in the Intensive Care Unit of Royal Columbian Hospital. Her health seemed to be improving. On Friday, her healthcare team believed she was well enough to undergo an operation to resolve her most serious symptoms, but just before this could happen she experienced a sudden cardiac arrest. She was placed on maximal life support. Unfortunately, two days later, she passed. She was 60 years old.

Dawn Dixon Reeves was unforgettable. She made you laugh, enthralled you with stories, made you feel like a cherished guest, and made lifelong friends wherever she went. She showed you love like no one else. Emigrating from apartheid South Africa with her family at 10 years old to Canada, she carried a deep sensibility to the lack of love and understanding in the world and sought to spread as much love and light as she could. No one had a bigger heart or more capability to see the good in people. There aren’t enough words to describe all that she was, but here are a few: Hardworking, intelligent, spiritual, resourceful, giving, funny, perceptive, social, loyal, elegant, beautiful, polite, honest, honourable, kind-hearted, genuine, loving.

Dawn’s absence will leave a hole in all our lives, but the largest will no doubt be in that of her beloved daughter, Cassandra, who is 27 years old. The loss of her mother and best friend has devastated her, as well as left her with many unforeseen costs. Dawn and Cassandra lived together in their home for the entirety of Cassandra’s life and were as close as you can imagine. During her stay in the hospital, Cassandra was with her every day taking care of her, completely halting work and studies. Now on her own, Cassandra faces significantly increased financial burdens, as well as paying for her mother’s funeral on her own. Though nothing can make the loss of such an amazing person any less of a shock, we can at least ensure that her daughter does not have to endure additional financial and emotional hardship as she attempts to honour her mom by continuing her studies and living her life as her mother had hoped for her.

Dawn achieved much in her life, but what meant the most to her was her family. She is survived by Cassandra and John, who is 10 years older. Dawn would never speak about it, but she overcame significant adversity and obstacles in her life in order to provide for her family. A single mother, she went without so that she could support her children’s dreams. Without her, Cassandra faces serious challenges to her livelihood and promising future.

Cassandra is on the Dean’s list at Simon Fraser University and had been accepted into the Honours program when this tragedy occurred. She has been working tirelessly towards her dream of becoming a professor of English and writing novels, something which her mom was immensely proud of her for. Ambitious and hardworking, she wanted to honour her mother for the love and support she received all her life. Cassandra needs our help now to secure that life and achieve her educational dreams. All those who know Dawn will know how important this is to her.

In Cassandra’s own words:

"It feels impossible to describe Mum and I. She has always been my best friend, my safe landing, my center, my guide. We look at each other and have complete conversations without speaking aloud. She didn't have to thank me for never leaving her side because we both knew I never would, just as she would never leave mine. Words weren't needed. We understood we would do anything for each other, that we would never stop protecting and fighting for each other, that we always have and always will. Like it's her and I against it all, like there is nothing we can't do or get through because we have each other. A world without her is unfathomable. In losing her, I have lost my soulmate. Without her, I am only half a person."

I am so proud to be your daughter, Mummy. I love you, I love you, I love you."

Among so many other things, Dawn was renowned for her love of music. In the spirit of remembrance and to cherish her memory, you are invited to share a song which makes you think of her, as well as a few words explaining the memory. I will be adding them to a playlist and collecting the stories to share with Cassandra and her loved ones to bring them comfort. You can post the song title and memory below, or send it directly to this account.