Dawn Haime

Dawn Haime (September 12, 1945 - February 15, 2023)

Dawn Haime, the bright, little Irish light who lit up many lives in her 77 years, has passed away to bluer skies. Dawn slipped away peacefully at the Civic Hospital in Ottawa with loving family and friends at her side. We expect many who knew her will be heart-broken to hear this news.

Our beloved Dawn will never be forgotten by her sons John (Patricia Keogh) and Kevin (Lisa nee Despard); grandsons Jake (Melissa), Jackson and Aidan; brother Dan O’Connor (Pat); niece Lori Fox (Simon and Oliver), nephew Michael Fox, niece Shannon O’Connor (Joel, Maya and Bowen), niece Meghan O’Connor (Abby, Dylan); sister-in-law Ann O’Connor (David); brother-in-law Jim Mahoney (Diane), brother-in-law Richard Haime; sister-in-law Heather Goyette (Robert Goyette). She is predeceased by her husband Peter Haime, her parents Daniel and Vera O’Connor, her loving sister Diane Fox and brother David O’Connor. She will be deeply missed by many wonderful friends and supporters.

Nobody could make a person feel like they were the most important person in the room like Dawn Haime. If you knew her, you know what we mean and may have experienced it. She was an authentic, original gem who was naturally polished with world-class “people” skills. She was never anything but Dawn – as comfortable trading jokes and one liners with Prime Ministers and Govenor Generals as she was listening and empathizing with anyone who happened to come through the door. These natural skills became a fabric of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club for 30 years where Dawn, like a maestro, made every guest who walked through the golf shop door feel like they were being heard and special. The enjoyment and care of Hunt Club members and guests was always Dawn’s first priority.

Dawn was a Canadian girl at heart – but her Irish roots shaped her personality. Born to Vera and Daniel O’Connor (an original “Bytown” family - O’Connor St. in Ottawa is named after the O’Connor clan), she was vibrant, stubborn, determined and a true lover of people. She had an appreciation for the simple pleasures in life. She was a happy soul. While blue skies are ahead for Dawn, we know emerald green meadows are too.

Life was not the same for Dawn after her beloved Peter suddenly passed away in 2019. They were an inseparable team for 57 years. They met at a Canadian Youth Organization dance at Blessed Sacrament Church in Ottawa when Dawn was 16. They were together until Peter’s sudden passing. Dawn loved being a wife and mother and she excelled at both supporting and fiercely loyal to Peter, John and Kevin – always. She was also a dedicated and loyal daughter, sister, aunt and friend. There was never a waver with Dawn with those she loved. We know that she would proudly share with you that John and Kevin were her best life accomplishments. Shortly after Peter’s death she also lost Diane and David, her sister and brother who she loved dearly. Combined with some debilitating illness, these losses proved to have a devastating effect on our beloved Dawn.

Thank-you Mom – we will miss you terribly. You did a wonderful job on this earth, you set the example for living a rich, authentic life. We’ll look forward to seeing you again to share a laugh and a coke.

Many thanks to the great groups of professionals at The Wellings in Stittsville and The Waterford Grand in Barrhaven for caring for and comforting our Mom in her final years. We also thank the wonderful nurses and doctors at the Queensway Carleton and Civic hospitals for allowing our Mom to pass away with true dignity. Well done to all.

A private celebration for family and friends will be announced at a later date. Those who wish to express sympathy, please consider making a donation to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation in memory of Dawn Haime.