Dawn Jaleyne Gesin, born in Fairbanks on April 25, 1975, passed away quietly in her sleep on Jan. 7, 2014.
Dawn struggled with many illnesses and demons during her 38 years on Earth. Diagnosed with childhood cancer at 12 while living in Idaho with her parents and older sister, Dawn bravely handled the rigors of surgery, chemo and radiation therapy.
These treatments put the cancer into remission but unfortunately left her immune system so fragile that she was constantly fighting various medical problems.
Despite these obstacles, Dawn produced three beautiful children, Jaleyne, 18; Dillon, 12, and Nathan, 4. One of her greatest pleasures was camping and playing with her children.
She probably inherited her love of camping and the outdoors from her parents, who purchased Tangle Lakes Lodge on the Denali Highway and moved there when she was 6 weeks. She thoroughly enjoyed the attention she got from tourists, hunters and fishermen passing through the lodge for the first four years of her life.
Her death was attributed to natural causes, specifically an enlarged heart, typically associated with hypertension and blood pressure issues.
She is survived by her children; her parents, Jack "Jay" Gesin and Marleyne Hunter; sister, JulieAnn; and brothers, Patrick "PJ" and Tony Gesin.
All reside in Fairbanks except JulieAnn, who lives in Boise, Idaho, with her daughter. Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces will miss her loud outbursts of laughter.
One of her aunts put into words the sentiment that all the family members share, "We pray that Dawn will find the peace in heaven that has so eluded her here on Earth." -