Dawn Edwards

After a remarkable and wonderful life, Dawn Spalding Edwards passed away in the early morning hours of December 7, 2014, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Dawn was born on January 8, 1940 to Harold Francis Spalding and Joelle Elizabeth Overly in Provo, Utah. Dawn was their only child. They lived up Payson Canyon until Dawn started school when she was 5 years old. They lived in Orem, Utah until Dawn graduated from Orem High School. Dawn attended Nursing School and became an LPN in 1959. Dawn married Galin Barrington Edwards on September 7, 1962 in the Logan Temple, in Logan Utah. Together they raised four daughters.
Dawn was always busy, happy, and serving others. She loved life. She dedicated her life to service and her family. She worked at the County Hospital in Salt Lake City until she had her children. Galin and Dawn also started a rental business and they worked very hard for over 40 years to keep that business going. Galin and Dawn served an LDS Mission to the Little Rock Arkansas Mission in 2004. They also volunteered as missionaries at the Utah State Correctional Facility for approximately 18 years. They were awesome missionaries!
Dawn loved being with her grandchildren. She never turned down an opportunity to be with them. She always played board and card games, popped the best popcorn ever and even bought a catcher’s mask so she could help the grandchildren with baseball. She loved playing baseball in her youth! She was always at the grandchildren’s sporting events and school performances. Dawn loved music. She played the violin and was a faithful member of the Ward Choir. She also loved butterflies, animals, embroidery work, and sewing. Dawn was a constant example of service and grace. She was always willing to give without want and she had an unconditional love for all. Dawn will always be remembered and cherished.
Dawn is survived by her daughters: LaShelle (Brian) Draper, Tawna (Chad) Woolley, Melody (Dan) Jagoe, and JaNae Taggart. Her 10 grandchildren: Michael Draper, Krysta, Jackson, and Jakob Woolley, Hannah, Danny, and Abby Jagoe, and Lauren, Madison, and Ben Taggart and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Preceded in death by: husband, Galin Edwards, and parents Harold Spalding and Joelle Overly.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Canyon Rim Ward on 1050 East Galena Drive, Sandy, UT. On December 12, 2014, a viewing will be held from 9:30 am to 10:45 am prior to the Funeral at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Lake Hills Cemetery 10055 South State Street Sandy, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, the family has designated the Alzheimer’s Association for memorial contributions. A tribute page has been set up in Dawn’s honor (www.alz.org/join_the_cause_tributes.asp). The family would also like to thank the staff at Alta Ridge Communities for tenderly caring for and loving our sweet mother.