Janis Marie Hambrook Dawson passed away peacefully on Sept., 24th., surrounded by her family. She was born on January 27th, 1935, to Vern (Bun) and Goldie Hambrook in Ione, Washington, where she resided most her life.

She graduated from Ione High School in 1953. Shortly after, she married Robert Dawson on January 17, 1954.  They were married for 64 years and had 6 children.

The family traveled to Valdez, Alaska in 1969 for a short visit, which turned into a seven year stay.  After being a homemaker for many years she started her career in the Postal Service in Valdez.  Life was very challenging for the family during the time that they lived there-and Janis had a hard time adjusting to the heavy snow falls, cold glacier winds and rainy summers. The family also survived a house fire during this time. Instead of giving up on their Alaska adventure they stayed and rebuilt. The pull of her close-knit family in Ione was too much, and Bob and Janis eventually returned to her beloved Ione with the two youngest children in tow.

Janis carried, on her postal ties as Postmaster in Ione, a job she cherished until her retirement in 1997 after 21 years of service. This was a hub in her life, where she not only offered up smiles, but refined her gossiping skills with colleagues and customers alike. It was here where she kept tabs on the comings and goings of most Ionians.

After her retirement, she still kept tabs on people through her TOPS group, which she loved attending and gathering with friends.  She cherished the Downriver Days get-together out in the front of the old Ione High School, which the family owed for many years. Lifelong friends and distance cousins would gather there each year to reminiscence and reacquaint with one another.

Janis was a devoted wife and mother. She never missed a sporting event for any of her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren. She looked forward to watching the Zags!  She loved playing scrabble and doing daily crossword puzzles. Her vocabulary was very impressive, and she could spell anything!

Janis fought a courageous battle with Dementia in her last few years. Her family was right beside her to help her maneuver the ups and downs of this devastating illness. The hardest thing a person will ever do,  is to grieve the loss of a loved one when they are still alive.

Graveside services were held on Sunday, October 3rd, 1:00 at the Ione Riverside Cemetery. Due to continuing Covid and social distancing issues, there was no reception after the services. The family will plan a celebration of her life next summer with lots of family, laughter and tears.

She is survived by her children, daughters, Debbie (Ron) Gilson, Cindy (Jay) Edwards, Jody (Dick) Zimmerman, and Kelly (Jene) Winn. Sons, Denny, and Danny (Kari) Dawson. She has 15 grandchildren Dan, Tana, Dane, Tasha, Kaylee, Mitch, Travis Venessa, Denny, Kye, Cole, Whitney, Bree, Kevin and Jace. 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great great-grandson and one on the way. She is also survived by her sister Bonita Hambrook and sister-laws Joan Dawson and Kay Saxe.

Preceding her in death are her husband Robert, brother-in-law's Dale Dawson, Glen Saxe, sisters Carol Swayer, Donna Bell and nephew's Buddy and Ricky Bell.