Dawn Marie Massey class of 1983
June 5, 1965 – July 23, 2025
Dawn Marie Massey age 60, passed away July 23, 2025. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles E. Massey, several grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and numerous beloved cats.
Dawn was born on June 5, 1965 and was raised in Okemos, MI. She grew up enjoying family camping trips, boating, and riding dirt bikes with her sisters, often achieving Evel Knievel status when skyrocketing over flimsy wooden ramps in the backyard. By all accounts she was quick witted, saucy, mischievous, and a skilled prankster.
Dawn possessed a brilliant mind and was believed to have a photographic memory. She was magnificently artistic as shown in her sketches, paintings, chalk drawings, clay sculptures, and photography. She lacked however any musical talent, often torturing her sisters by singing to every song on Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 Countdown while they were jammed like sardines in the backseat of the family car. She was convinced she sounded like Karen Carpenter.
She was a gifted athlete, enjoyed water sports, snowboarding, and running various 5K and marathon races. She enjoyed traveling, but especially loved her time in northern Michigan and boating on Torch Lake. She was the absolute best cat mom, often adopting strays and providing the love, care, and attention they so deserved.
Dawn took pride in her work as a Registered Nurse at local hospitals and home care agencies for nearly two decades and went on to earn her B.A from Western Michigan University.
She is survived by her mother Dorothy L. Massey (Gene Tracy) of Mason, MI, sisters Dana M. Lound (Jim Wright) of Eaton Rapids, MI, and Christina J. Ladd (Michael Ladd) of Dexter, MI, numerous nieces, nephews, special friends Tristan Zamp, Sharon Hardies (Godlewski), Miche Price, Danny Mackey, Michael Caruso, and precious cats Tuesday, Henry, and Atticus.
Heartfelt thanks to McLaren Greater Lansing 9th floor nursing staff and Inpatient Hospice for providing compassionate, dignified care and support.
Dawn requested no funeral services. The family has requested something beautiful be planted in Dawn’s memory or donations in her name may be directed to the Capital Area Humane Society (www.cahs-lansing.org).
