Waukesha – Dawn Ellen (nee: Osadsky) Kawa, 70, passed away peacefully at Seasons Hospice in Waukesha, on her favorite day of the year, December 24, 2011, surrounded by her loving family following a short yet courageous battle with brain cancer. She was born in Racine on May 19, 1941 to the late Willard and Beatrice Thompson.  She was later adopted at age 11 by her late Aunt & Uncle, Paul and Venitta Osadsky.

Dawn was a 1959 graduate of Horlick High School. She worked at SC Johnson Wax before marrying the late John Kawa. Together they raised seven children. She volunteered many hours serving St. Sebastian's school and parish, most notably as Parish Council President, Editor/Creator of the Crusader, and major contributor to the Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1980.  She earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Michigan State University in 1988, graduating as the top student in her class.  While there, she was a free-lance editor for the Michigan State University Press.  After returning to the area, she spent the last 20 years working at the Medical College of Wisconsin, most recently as a Research Program Coordinator supporting Emergency Medicine. Her efforts in this role resulted in the improved care of emergency medicine patients and helped save many lives. Dawn was an avid reader, excellent cook and baker of countless birthday cakes over the years. She supported many causes and was a patron of the Milwaukee Zoo and Chicago Art Institute.  She loved going to the Wisconsin State Fair and looked forward to the annual autumn trip to Florence, WI. Above everything else, Dawn loved spending time with her family. Lovingly referred to as Amma, her children and grandchildren were the biggest joy in her life.  She loved each one of them unconditionally and she was incredibly devoted to them.  She embraced family traditions and created a celebration around every special occasion. She instilled in her children the importance of love and family, and she had the unique ability to make each loved one feel special.

Survivors include her loving partner, Jeff Jackson of Waukesha; her seven children, Kristine Kawa of Pleasant Prairie, Kay Kawa (Jay) Terry of Racine, Matthew (Cyndee) Kawa of Plymouth, Adam (Toula) Kawa of Bristol, Paul Kawa of Racine, Ellen (Jon) Olsen of Wind Lake, and Eileen (Greg) Holler of Union Grove; ten grandchildren, Emily Terry, Ethan and Lindsey Kawa, Sophia and AJ Kawa, Ryan, Abby, and Megan Olsen, and Erin and Justin Holler; and a brother, Gary Osadsky of Racine.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 29, 2011, 7 p.m. at St. Lucy's Catholic Church, 3035 Drexel Ave, Racine, WI with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church from 4:30 p.m. until the time of service.  A private interment will take place at Graceland Cemetery in Racine.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dawn Kawa Memorial Fund, which will in turn go to the Brain Tumor Research Program – Dr. Connelly at the Froedtert Foundation.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Jennifer Connelly and her staff, Seasons Hospice RN Cheryl Wolff and staff, and Chaplain Steven Stern for their care and compassion during Dawn's illness.