Dawn Michelle (Harris) Molnar

KENT — Dawn Michelle (Harris) Molnar died unexpectedly at the age of 56 on Jan. 29, 2016, in Southport, N.C. She died from complications to her heart condition and from deteriorating health. 

Dawn was born on Sept.  2, 1959, to Nancy (Bergemann) and Fredrick Harris in Danbury, Conn. She lived in Connecticut, Wisconsin and, most recently, North Carolina. 

She worked in many trades, notably as a school bus driver, business manager, business owner and property manager. 

Dawn was a pillar of her local community. She volunteered for Park and Recreation, many community events and the local fire department. Her goal and life’s passion was to help others and her community.  She became a certified Fire Fighter 1 and driver and operator of the department’s apparatus in April 2002, after joining in June 1993 as an auxiliary member.  

Although her heart condition eventually prohibited her from continuing that path, Dawn pushed on as an active member. She volunteered countless hours, organized several events, participated on many committees and meetings and learned, organized and entered countless data into the department’s computer software program. She held numerous administrative and committee positions including records clerk, junior advisor, quartermaster, chairman of the Firemen’s Ball, as well as president. 

Dawn could rarely be found at home; she was always working, usually at the market or bus company, the firehouse, the fairgrounds or camp. 

She loved gardening, cooking, taking care of stray cats, organizing, playing games, keeping connected, talking to anyone and everyone, helping others, working hard and, most important of all, spending time with family. She was blessed and loved and lived for her grandchildren. 

Dawn is survived by four daughters, Michelle Way and her husband, John, Anna Schlemmer and her husband, Gary, Alycia Lillis and Kellee Molnar and her husband, Thomas; 10 grandchildren, Grant, Justice, Cassandra, Laureli, Xaviar, Gage, Taylor, Cooper, Kennedy and Logan; her aunt, Darleen Jarvis; her sister, Cheryl Scheurell and her husband, Tony; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and members of her extended family.

She was predeceased by her birth parents, Fredrick and Nancy; her brother, Joel Harris; her daughter, Sandra Lillis; her niece, Liza Suess; and two grandchildren, Daniel Molnar and Lilly Lillis.

In accordance with Dawn’s wishes, after making post-life donations, she had requested no visitation or services to be held on her behalf. She also requested no cemetery plot or memorial location, as she didn’t want anyone to have to care for or have a location to mourn her passing. 

In lieu of flowers or cards, the family requests that memorial donations in Dawn’s name be sent to the Kent Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 355, Kent, CT 067578. Dawn would find that most appropriate (after asking you to not do anything, of course). 

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to everyone that touched Dawn’s life. She had amazing lifelong friends that she loved to stay connected with, and many new friends that would have become lifelong. Dawn loved people and truly enjoyed staying connected, even if only on social media. She really did care for all the people that touched her life, and frequently “Facebook stalked,” checking up on everyone. She loved being a part of the community, so thank you to all of you. Also, thank you to the staff at Dosher Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care and guidance. Thank you to all the other medical staff and emergency responders that had cared for our stubborn mother in the past, as well.