Dawn Michelle Janice Astbury
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Dawn Michelle Janice Astbury on January 16. 2021. Dawn was born in Edmonton on December 7, 1976. Dawn worked for the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta, then started her company, Reachout Communications.
She will be dearly missed by son Damon, daughter Taylor, Mom Janice, Stepdad Barry, Uncle Don & Aunt Sylvia, Uncle Roman & Aunt Patricia and cousins Lance, Laurel, Nicole & Melissa, many friends and her beloved dog Buddy.
Words cannot express how much she was loved and how much she will be missed.
If friends so wish, memorial donations in her name can be made in Dawn’s name to the SPCA.
I’m still in shock over the loss of someone who was such a force in the world. From my first meeting with Dawn – a shoot for an instructional video – and going forward from there, we never stopped laughing. We were probably the worst to sit by in meetings because of the constant chatter, we competed over who thru the best staff meeting (goodie bags included!) and we showed up to places wearing the exact same thing! We were famous for ‘I can only chat for a minute…’ and then talking on the phone for hours. We laughed, we cried, we vented, we were there. When life got busy, we could pick right up after not chatting for a bit, like we just talked yesterday. Dawn was the friend who always made me believe I could do what I was convinced I could not. She would always be the biggest cheerleader and the strongest shoulder to cry on. As I went thru a rough patch and doubted every step I took, Dawn was there to tell me I was important enough to take up the space in the world that I didn’t think I could. It feels like she is on a fabulous vacation with the family that she talked about with so much love, so much, and that she’ll be right back. I know that I’m going to have so many moments where I think, “I have to tell Dawn because only she’ll get why this is soooo funny!” and each and every time, I will be heartbroken. I’ll miss you, my friend. I wish that I would have been feeling better to call you the other day – even just to tell you one last time, how much you meant to me. I hope that you know. I hope that you’ll be looking down, maybe even be that sassy voice in my ear, telling me to do thing I’m too scared to do. You’ll be so missed by all … I wish that we could say a proper goodbye, pay you the tribute that you so richly deserve and offer whatever comfort we can to your beloved family. I’ll miss you so so much, my friend. I’ll see you again one day and we’ll laugh and eat french fries together. My love to Damon, Janice and all of Dawn’s family. Please know how much she adored all of you.
We’re sorry for your loss.
I worked with Dawn when I was in Edmonton. I am incredibly sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family.
Seeing this comes as a complete shock. Dawn, you will be missed tremendously and I will never forget the times we had at work, and outside of work. Miss you already. My deepest condolences to the family for your loss.
My heart is incredibly heavy over this sad news. My deepest and sincerest condolences to Damon, Taylor, Janice and family. I am lucky to have been very close to Dawn and will always cherish the memories we had and the great times we shared. Dawn was an amazing and special person, she will be greatly missed. She was and always will be a huge part of my life. My heart goes out to her family.
I’m so sad and shocked to read this news. Dawn was my best friend in elementary school, we were inseparable for several years. We had so many good times together. Whether we were out riding our bikes, playing cards, choreographing dance moves to our favourite songs, or having a sleepover and watching scary movies, we always had a great time and a good laugh together. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend! Unfortunately for us, in grade 7 I moved out to the west coast, and over time Dawn and I lost contact. Recently the two of us reconnected after many, many years. We chatted on the phone for hours at a time. It was so great to catch up and reminisce about the good old days. We talked about meeting up again at some point. It was something that I really looked forward to. I’m heart broken that I won’t have that opportunity, it would have been wonderful to see her again. The time that Dawn and I spent together as kids will always be special to me. I will hold on to those precious memories for the rest of my life. Janice, I’m so sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to you. Condolences to Damon and Taylor. Rest in peace my friend.