MCMAHON, Dawn

McMAHON DAWN ROBINSON McMAHON passed away in her sleep March 13th 2025 in Magrath, Alberta at age 95. Born in Provo, Utah August 2, 1929 to Rondo and Allie Robinson, she grew up in Magrath, and came back in 1990 to live the last 35 years in her hometown. She was the oldest of six siblings who she loved deeply. Dawn graduated from BYU and returned to Southern Alberta to teach school and eventually made her way to Calgary where she taught and became a Vice-principal. She loved music, played trumpet in a dance band, loved to dance, and it was dancing where she met her future husband Garry whom she loved and cherished for 62 years. After their marriage, Garry and Dawn returned to BYU, then moved to Concord and later Upland, California where they raised their two sons Ronn and Jamie. In California Dawn’s home was always a destination for visiting family and friends. Always the hostess, she would take everyone who came sight seeing in San Francisco and later after moving to Southern California to Disneyland and other exciting spots. Dawn was a skilled decorator and her home was always warm and welcoming and filled with unique and beautiful items. After a short stint in Vancouver BC, she and Garry returned to Magrath to work side by side building InLine Ovals. Dawn’s sense of style and work ethic were invaluable, and she and Garry enjoyed traveling all over the USA representing InLine Ovals at trade shows. Dawn thought everyone should have a collection, and she had beautiful collections of Kaleidoscopes, ornate perfume bottles, buttons, thimbles, pens and pencils, flamingos, and all kinds of chocolate. Most importantly she collected friends. She had a unique gift to reach out to others, and she developed deep and lasting relationships with people wherever she lived. She was named “Dawnie” by her oldest grandchild which she loved and soon all her grandchildren, neighbors and friends knew her as Dawnie. She had a gift to make everyone feel special, especially children. It was great when Dawnie secretly told you that you were her favorite. She made everyone feel important and loved. Dawn was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and served in just about every calling over decades of church service. She always went above and beyond in all church callings and had a gift to minister to and care for individuals. Together Garry and Dawn served missions to the Bishop’s Storehouse and later to the Addiction Recovery Program. They loved this opportunity to serve together and developed many lifelong friendships. Dawn is survived by her husband: Garry Moore McMahon, sons: Ronald McMahon (Lisa Dabalos), James (Kristy) McMahon, Grandchildren: Rachel (Kyle) Long, Erica (Josue) Arredondo, Samuel McMahon, Timothy (Savannah) McMahon, Megan (Kyle) Rippstein, Amanda McMahon, Great-grandchildren: Peter Arredondo, Elena Long, Emma Arredondo, Siblings: Ross Robinson, Diana Godfrey, Marion Wilde, Phyllis Nelson, Norman Robinson, Sister-in-law: Eleanor McMahon and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday March 29 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Garden Place Chapel, Magrath (170 N Center St.) Friends may meet the family from 10:00-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment to follow in the Magrath Cemetery, Magrath, AB.
To send a condolence or to view the funeral service please visit www.legacyfuneralhome.ca