Dawn Koren Smith

Dawn K. Smith

Baileyville - Dawn K. Smith, 55, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, October 3, 2021. Dawn was born on July 24, 1966, in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, to Harry James Smith, Jr. and Edna (Jane) Smith. In 1984, she graduated from Woodland High School, where she was involved in everything from cheerleading and drama to the math club and honor society. She served as president of the senior class and her classmates voted her “best dressed” and “prettiest smile.” She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology, specializing in criminal justice, in 1988 from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. While in college, she was a resident advisor, active in CKI (a service and leadership organization) and volunteered with Special Olympics. She also studied in London, England.

In addition to her grandparents Harry (Sr.) and Charlotte Smith of Meddybemps and Victor and Marie Leavitt of Back Bay, N.B., Dawn was predeceased by her father Harry Smith, Jr. of Meddybemps, and brother Greg Smith. She is survived by her mother Jane Smith of Baileyville; siblings Jimmy Smith, Niki Smith LeVasseur, Danielle Smith, Jayna Smith, Arran Stevens, Harry (Chip) Smith, III, Tony Leavitt and Tina Barbato; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and wonderful friends, especially Terri Lynn (Little) Crowe; and her husband Jon LeClair. Dawn had a special relationship with each of her nieces and nephews: Rachel Torrey, Anne LeVasseur, Ricky and Riley Cleghorn, Kobe Saunders, Karleigh and Brock Smith, as well as her great-nephew Asher Kochendoerfer and her stepchildren Brooke and Joey Winchester.

Dawn loved animals, and was a founding member of PAWS. For more than 20 years, she was a board member for the Grace Butman Foundation, an organization that provides grants to nonprofit animal rescue organizations throughout Maine and New Hampshire.

Always proud to call Meddybemps, Maine, her hometown, Dawn served as a volunteer firefighter, moderator of town meetings, and member of the school board. She was a member of the Meddybemps Community Church and active with the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department, Downeast EMS, and the Alzheimer’s Association. She owned and operated North Atlantic Welding Supplies.

A beautiful person inside and out, Dawn was involved in pageants and mentored countless “pageant daughters,” encouraging them to volunteer; many went on to win state and national titles.

Dawn enjoyed photography and creating scrapbooks of her travel and adventures. She also loved helping others preserve their own photos and stories.

The family extends their thanks and appreciation to the skilled and compassionate staff at CHCS New Hope Hospice.

Dawn’s funeral will be Saturday, October 9, at 1 p.m. at Second Baptist Church of Calais with Pastor Matt Burden officiating. Interment will follow at the Meddybemps Cemetery.

Those who wish may make a donation in Dawn’s memory to the Meddybemps Volunteer Fire Department, 849 Main St., Meddybemps, ME 04657, or the animal charity of your choice.