Marie Janet ‘Jan’ Dawson
Marie Janet “Jan” Dawson, 88, of Peabody, Massachusetts, died Nov. 4 in Peabody. She was the wife of the late William E. Dawson and prior to his passing in 2003, they were married 51 years. They retired to Holmes Beach in 1986.
She was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, and was the daughter of the late Joseph A. and Josephine (Martell) Forest.
She attended St. Mary’s High School in Lynn and was a lifelong benefactor of her beloved alma mater. She also graduated from the Chandler School for Women in Boston.
She was the office manager for many years in the building department for the town of Stoneham, Massachusetts, retiring in 1985.
A form of macular degeneration caused her eyesight to dim during the midpoint of her life, but her unwavering spirit would not allow her to slow down. She attended the Carroll School for the Blind in Newton, Massachusetts, and reclaimed the many of her skills.
She was very active with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and was a strong advocate for the visually impaired. She loved to paint, knit and sew.
A Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Cuffe McGinn Funeral Home of Lynn was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include daughters, Suzanne M. and husband Dennis Zinkand of Stamford, Connecticut, Cynthia D. Langer and husband John, of Prides Crossing, Massachusetts, Linda D. Kemp and husband Chuck of Annapolis, Maryland; son William J. and wife Pamela of Falmouth, Maine; nine grandchildren; and one great granddaughter.
Steven W. Gift
Steven W. Gift, a 22-year Anna Maria resident, died Oct. 28, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. He was 66.
A native of Philadelphia, Gift graduated in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
He specialized in campus planning and was university architect for the University of South Florida in Tampa. He was a principal in the Tampa office of Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company. He also was the owner and founder of Campus Planning Group LLC, an architectural services company based in Anna Maria.
A celebration of life will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, on the beach at the entrance of Cypress Avenue and Tuna Street in Anna Maria.
Mr. Gift is survived by his wife of 36 years, Lois Ann; daughter Stephanie Ann; sister Laurie Neeper of Maryland; niece Angie and husband Dave Picarello of Maryland; and nephew Robert Hoffman of Pennsylvania.
Moriah Hope Goode
Moriah Hope Goode, 18, of Bradenton, died Nov. 6.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
She is survived by parents Gary and Jan; brothers Evan, Kevin, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, Zechariah and Malachi; nephews Caleb and Jermaine; nieces Hannah, Kathryn and Rachael and many friends and loved ones.
Alison ‘Allie’ Morrison
Alison “Allie” Morrison, 52, of Bradenton Beach, died Oct. 31 following a long battle with esophageal cancer.
She was born Dec. 14, 1963.
She was a fan of anything paranormal — from ghosts to vampires. She enjoyed peacocks, dragons, “Star Trek,” Egyptian history and gods, the color purple, reading and anything to do with the ocean. From fishing to sunbathing or walking the beach to find shark teeth, she would often be found near the water.
Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice.
She is survived by daughters Crystal Fingulin and husband Scott and Maria Cavanaugh, both of Palm Beach; and grandchildren Benjamin and Catherine.