Dawn Marie (Winslow) Amster

Sad to say Dawn passed away Monday November 6th after a well fought battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family. Dawn died 4 years to the day that her father Harry passed away and we believe her father was in the room to take her home with him. It was a very sad day, and many will follow.  All those who knew her from Stiles Lake, knew her as the "Lake Goddess".  She is gone and will be forever missed.

Dawn was born in Worcester to Harry and Rita Winslow.  She leaves behind her husband, soul mate and best friend, Gary whom she loved very much. Dawn and Gary first met in 1974 reuniting in 2010, marrying August 25, 2012, which they called coming “full circle”.  Their favorite song was from Peter Frampton, “baby I love your way”.

She also leaves behind two daughters, Arleen Toomey and Kerry Morse and her husband Charles, from her previous marriage to Jack Toomey. She was very proud of her daughters’ accomplishments and loved them very much.  Also left behind are 3 grandchildren, Sully and Charles Jr., and Nora.  In addition, she leaves behind her husband's children, Ben, Sara, Michael and Cooper and a cast of characters of 8 additional grandchildren, Kade, Juliet, Adria, Elise, Maeve, Carson, Michael, Nellie. She also leaves behind her brother Harry and her sister Valerie along with several nieces and nephews. Her older sister Sally pre-deceased her in 1965.  

Dawn grew up in Shrewsbury along Lake Quinsigamond and yes, she was a lake rat.  Growing up she worked at her father’s home-based welding supply store after school dealing with customers at the age of 12.  From that beginning, she became a motorhead, loving cars and motorcycles and anything she could shift.  In school, she did very well.  She was very smart which earned her the nickname "wizard".  The car she drove in high school, was a 1965 Mustang that she nicknamed "the madstang", standard shift....of course.

Years later she owned a 1970 Monte Carlo V-8 4 speed, and a 1973 Triumph TR6.  Her motorcycles were a 1972 Daytona Triumph, a Harley Davidson Sportster and a 1984 FLHC Harley Davidson that she drove for 24 years and even drove it to Key West.  

 After graduating high school, she went to Leicester Junior College, and became an accountant.  But if you had asked her years ago what her profession would be she would have said nurse.  However, she learned she couldn’t stand the sight of blood...so numbers looked better.  She excelled at her career in accounting and was well loved by her long-time co-workers. Dawn always kept in touch with her school friends and loved the reunions.

Dawn loved living on the lake, Stiles was her sanctuary.  Summer of course was her favorite time of year.  She loved cruising the lake in her Moomba and floating around on the pontoon boat with friends with a Sam Adams in hand.  She hated that her birthday was right before Labor Day. That meant summer was coming to an end.

Dawn had a way with words and a great sense of humor. A few of her sayings were “christ on sale” “no fruit or nuts in my beer” and “just stick a needle in my eye”.  When asked what her name was she would reply “Dawn, like in the morning”.  

She was also an avid lover of birds. Hummingbirds, blue birds and buffelhead were among her favorites.  

Dawn had a great sense of humor.  For instance, her friends Dave and Lisa, while finishing their house, lived with Dawn. Dave would come home and hum the theme song from “three’s company”.  While in hospice, Dawn began humming the theme song as they entered her room, maintaining her sense of humor until the very end.

Her lake house meant the world to her.  She loved entertaining a house full of friends, drinking cold beer, eating great food and generating endless memories.  If you were lucky enough to know her, you were beyond lucky.

I want to thank Dana Farber, Brigham and Women’s for all they could do to provide hope and support in assisting her to return home to enjoy her final days with those she loved and all that loved her. A big thank you to her friends in her final days, Grace, Karen, Lisa and Nancy, Fran, cousins Terry, and Pat and daughter Sara.

A calling hour will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 10:00am to 11:00am at MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester, with a Funeral Service beginning for 11:00am.

They say life is too short. Well friends, this is a perfect example. Why Dawn? God only knows.  So breath in, breath out and hug your loved ones.  PEACE