Tributes paid to 'one-off amazing lady' and Terras fanatic Dawn Davies (From Dorset Echo)

Tributes paid to 'one-off amazing lady' and Terras fanatic Dawn Davies

10:30am Wednesday 6th February 2013 in News By Catherine Bolado

TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘one-off amazing lady’ who loved Weymouth Football Club.

Last year heartless thieves stole Dawn Davies’s garden lights from outside her Wyke Regis home but she had her faith in people restored after members of the community rallied round to replace them.

She even had a surprise visit from Terras manager Brendon King and some of the players donated new lights and gave her a signed shirt.

Last week Mrs Davies, 56, passed away peacefully after battling cancer since 2006 – as a mark of respect the flags at the Terras stadium have been flying at half-mast.

She was surrounded by her family at home – husband Nick, 48, and her daughters Lucinda and Cherie.

Mr Davies paid tribute to his wife, saying: “She had such a bright character. Her strength – everything she went through up until the last she always had a smile on her face. She never complained.

“I learnt so much from her.

“Every day she was amazing.

“She was a one-off.”

He said Mrs Davies did a lot for charity and was ‘always thinking of others’.

In 1983 Mr Davies moved to the area and started to support the Terras and he later introduced his wife to the game.

The couple met in 2004 while out with friends in Weymouth and soon became ‘inseparable’ – tying the knot on July 7, 2007.

He said: “It was such a special day.”

One of Mr Davies’s favourite memories is going to watch the football with his wife.

He said that Mrs Davies used to get really involved in the games, shouting and cheering.

He said: “Sharing that with Dawn was special. We enjoyed each other’s company.”

A HGV driver by trade, Mr Davies looked after his wife full-time for the last three-and-a-half years.

In 2007 Mrs Davies opened a bridal shop in St Mary Street called Le Grande Jour, but had to close it after 18 months due to her illness.

Mrs Davies spent time in Weldmar Hospice and at the Trimar day centre in Weymouth.

Mr Davies said: “Even though you expect it, it doesn’t make you prepared for it.

“It’s hard to believe someone’s there one minute and disappeared the next.”

Mr Davies thanked all those who helped to care for his wife including the district nurses, her doctor at Abbotsbury Road surgery, Weldmar staff and Marie Curie nurses.

Valentine’s Day Funeral

MRS Davies’s funeral will take place on Valentine’s Day, February 14, at 2.30pm at St Andrew’s Church in Preston followed by a service at Weymouth Crematorium.

Mr Davies said: “I loved Dawn to bits and I can’t think of a more appropriate day.”

Everyone is requested to wear pink, which was Mrs Davies’s favourite colour, or bright colours. Mr Davies will be taken from the church to the crematorium in a horse drawn carriage.

Donations can be made to Marie Curie, Weldmar or Weymouth Football Club c/o Abbott & Rees Funeral Directors, 247 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth.