Dawn G. Shipe

January 5, 1951 – January 11, 2013

      Dawn G. Shipe, our angel, passed away peacefully at her Bainbridge Island home January 11, 2013.

      Born January 5, 1951 in Mannheim, Germany with the birth name of Hannelorre Bordt, she was a twin to her brother, Hans. They were adopted in 1953 by US Army Major Noel, & his wife Irene, Griffin of Tacoma, WA, while Noel was stationed in Germany, and were named Dawn and Doug.

      Dawn attended Lakes High School, Lakewood, WA graduating in 1969 with a 4.0 GPA. She was awarded a prestigious Walter Reed Scholarship for nursing. Dawn spent her career in medical administration, working at Tacoma General Hospital and Swedish Medical Center where she was the coordinator of the pain clinic. She married Paul Watson in 1970; they had one child Kimberly Marie. Dawn and Paul divorced in 2001. Dawn then met George Shipe of Bremerton, WA and was married in May 2005, three months after her diagnosis for Glioblastoma.

      Dawn is survived by her husband George Shipe, her daughter Kim Kirschenmann, son-in-law Bryan and grand daughter Ashley, her brother Doug (DeAnna) Griffin, three nieces and nephews, step daughter Danielle, step grandson Andrew Neumann, aunt Donna Sowler and several cousins. Dawn loved, and was deeply interested in, her family & friends. After diagnosis, she volunteered at Swedish Medical Center, Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers and Children’s Hospital Thrift Boutique.

      A Celebration of Life will be held Feb. 2nd, Grace Episcopal Church, Bainbridge Island, WA. At Dawn’s request, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Bainbridge Island WA.

      Please sign the online Guest Book for the family at: www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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