March 29, 2024

Dawn M. Leland

Posted

Rehoboth - Dawn M. Leland, 56, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. She was the beloved wife of Norman J. Leland. The couple would have celebrated their twenty-first wedding anniversary on April 21.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was a daughter of Beverly (Cameron) Grassey of Pawtucket and Donald Grassi of Pennsylvania. Dawn had resided in Pawtucket before moving to Rehoboth seventeen years ago. She was a teacher in the Fall River School system.

You found the earth in the dead of winter

And left with the first breath of spring

Now In each passing season

For as long as we are

There you’ll be,

In everything

To sum up the entirety of a person's life in several lines feels like the task of a lifetime. Who she was in life is so much more than could ever be conveyed on paper. Everything she did she did with a deep rooted passion. If you knew her you knew the way it felt to be immersed in beauty and treasures. The way she gave life to every corner of a room and every place in her garden.  She was a pillar of strength, and led a life devoted to her faith and others. The backbone of her family, an educator to underprivileged youth, a former member of the children’s symphony, an animal and plant enthusiast, and a proud member of the Rehoboth Garden Club.

She was the kind of woman who paid attention to details and always had a seat at her table, a beautiful napkin and hot cup of tea to share.  She took pride in her accomplishments and in being a mother. She loved her children fiercely and had a lifelong love of learning, a true teacher at heart. She held a bachelors in psychology and a master’s in education.

She was fresh flowers, warm bread, diamonds, and antiques.

She was earthbound, and god fearing, home among the trees.

She was a mother daughter, sister and friend

Teacher, Christian, aunt who would spend,

Her life devoted to others in ways

That would guide them in patience and hold them in strength

An affinity for the beautiful and finer things in life

She was a garden growing woman and a strong and loving wife

To say she’ll be missed doesn’t quite carry the weight,

Of the love and the loss we’ll be holding the rest of our days.

But to have known her was to have loved her and how blessed we have been,

Cheers to a life lived in love - until we meet again.

Besides her husband and parents, she leaves a daughter, Bianca G. Barrera; a son, Ethan J. Leland both of Rehoboth; two brothers, Donald Grassey of FL and Christopher Grassi of  PA; a niece, Sarah Joannidi; two nephews, Daniel Grassey and Robert “BJ” Grassey; several aunts, uncles, cousins, as well as everyone who knew and loved her.

A future outdoor gathering will be held that will honor Dawn with a memorial and/or tree planting. Please consider donating blood or bone marrow registration in memory of Dawn, or if preferred, a memorial gift to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 would be appreciated. Arrangements are entrusted to WILLIAM W. TRIPP Funeral Home, Pawtucket. For online condolences please visit: www.TRIPPFUNERALHOME.com.

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