Frances Geraldine (Mansfield) Dawson

Frances G. Dawson, 91, passed away in hospice on January 17, 2024.  Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 25, at Amos Family Chapel, Shawnee, KS.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be at Shawnee Mission Memory Garden.  The family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association in lieu of flowers.

Fran was born on February 3, 1932, to William Joseph and Rosanna Warrilow Mansfield in Pontiac, Michigan.  Along with several of her mother’s siblings’ families, they immigrated from Barking, Essex, England, in 1923.  She was a woman with a strong faith and commitment to service in her churches.  She loved music, was an accomplished vocalist, and sang in choirs at Overland Park Christian Church.  Fran was an outstanding student and life-long learner.  She had hoped to become an English teacher, and imparted her love of language to her sons; everyone became accomplished Scrabble players.  Fran valued education, and worked many years at JCPenney in Mission to help both of her sons earn degrees from the University of Kansas.  She enjoyed gardening, especially roses.  Fran was also an avid sports fan, always rooting for the Royals, Chiefs, and Jayhawks, and following the Detroit Tigers.

Fran is pre-deceased by her husband, Lloyd (Duke) Dawson; her parents; and all ten of her siblings (seven brothers and three sisters).  She is survived by her sons, Craig Dawson (Bonnie Beverly) of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Martin Dawson (Christina) of Leawood, Kansas; grandson Jonathan Dawson and granddaughter Rachael Dawson; sister-in-law Norma Mansfield of Davisburg, Michigan; brother-in-law Vern Rains of Grand Blanc, Michigan; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families in Michigan and throughout the country.

The family gives special thanks to the care and attention given by the staff at Brookdale-Rosehill Assisted Living, and at Kansas City Hospice House.