Dona Dawn Cahoon, 57, went to be with our Lord and Savior on July 19, 2012.

Affectionately called Dawn by friends and family, she was a native of Hyde County. She was the daughter of Patricia Brinn Cahoon and the late Marcel Cahoon of Swan Quarter. She graduated from Mattamuskeet High School in 1973. She graduated from East Carolina University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science and continued with further graduate study in the field of biology.

Dawn lived in Greenville, North Carolina, where she worked at East Carolina University in the field of marine biology. Her work took Dawn to Micronesia where she resided in Guam for several years and visited many of the neighboring islands in her travels. Dawn was passionate about protecting the environment and her career was devoted to water and air quality.

Dawn was a member of the Swan Quarter Christian Church and will be especially remembered for her love of life, spirit of adventure and appreciation for natural beauty.

Survivors include her mother, Patricia B. Cahoon of Swan Quarter; a brother Chester M. Cahoon and wife Debbie of Swan Quarter; a brother Lyle D. Cahoon and wife Claudia of Swan Quarter; a brother Rory A. Cahoon and wife Helen of Swan Quarter; a brother Kevin Cahoon of Thomasville. She was preceded in death by her father, Marcel Cahoon. She was deeply loved by her four nephews, five nieces, two great-nephews and five great-nieces, all of Swan Quarter.

The family will receive friends at Bryan Funeral Services in Swan Quarter, on Saturday, July 21, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and other times at the home. Services will be held Sunday, July 22, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. at Swan Quarter Christian Church, 141 Second Street, Swan Quarter. A graveside service will follow at Soule Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to  Hyde County Relay for Life, care of Sharon Sadler, P.O. Box 337, Swan Quarter, N.C. 27885.

Thanks to Vidant Palliative Care, Cross Creek Health Care and Community Home Care and Hospice for their loving help and support.

Online sympathy messages may be submitted to www.bryanfs.com.