Dawn Iris Merritt

Dawn Iris Merritt died at Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry on December 20, 2009. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, December 26, 2009 at 11:00 am in St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho with interment following in the Grandview Cemetery in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Dawn was the mother of Janice Cowin of Bonners Ferry. Dawn was born in San Diego, California on June 8, 1919. At birth, she weighed only 1.5 pounds. With the constant love and attention of two aunts (who were nurses) she grew and thrived. She married Edwin Merritt on November 30, 1940. The ceremony took place in Yuma, Arizona with the happy couple returning to California in a few days. She lived in Southern California her entire life. Dawn worked as 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. She was very active in her Church (Santa Clara and St. Anthony's parishes in Oxnard, California) and was a member of the Ladies Club in those parishes for 50 years. Dawn was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin and her youngest daughter, Roberta. Dawn is survived by her daughter Janice (Cowin) and nine grandchildren: Dawn Hackney of Bethel, Alaska, Edwin Cowin of Hayden, Idaho, Guy Cowin of Bonners Ferry, Aaron Cowin of Tacoma, Washington, Marshall Cowin of Hubbard, Ohio, John Cowin of Tacoma, Washington, Toby Cowin of Elk, Washington, Amanda Elsberry of Bonners Ferry, Idaho and Mary Cowin of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and 14 great-grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to sign Dawn’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangement are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.