Midge (Edith Ann) Dawson Patrick Obituary (1946

Midge (Edith Ann) Dawson Patrick passed away surrounded by family on March 24, 2020. Midge was born in Provo, Utah on July 6, 1946 to Edith Jones and C. Holman Dawson; she lived on Grandview Hill on the family 50 acre fruit farm/orchard until she married on June 1, 1967 in the Salt Lake Temple to John Rooks Patrick. Midge graduated from Provo High School in 1964 and from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors in Nursing in 1968. John was in the United States Air Force during which time they lived in various places around the world including: Biloxi, Mississippi (for Hurricane Camille); Lompoc, California; Orem, Utah; Fort Mead, Maryland; Wiesbaden, Germany; Mons, Belgium; and Charlotte, North Carolina. Her children: John David (1969) and Kristine (1970) were born in Lompoc; Brian (1972) was born in Provo; Robert (1974) in Annapolis; Craig (1977), Devin and Darin (1978) in Provo; Cheryl (1981) in Wiesbaden. Midge loved being a Wife and Mother. For years she spent many precious moments making PB & J sandwiches in the van while driving her children between all of their events. She loved those days! She was amazingly talented at oil painting, water color, tole painting, cake decorating, crocheting, playing the piano, dried flower pictures and was the greatest bread maker ever! In 1987, a devastating car accident changed her life. John Rooks and her son Brian were killed, and all of the remaining family were severely injured. Midge became a quadriplegic but that didn’t stop her from continuing to be a fantastic Mother and friend. She raised her children while doing all the laundry, cooking, cleaning, and being the “command center” for all. Midge attracted lifelong friends wherever she lived. She was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding many positions in the Primary, Relief Society, and Young Women organizations, and treasured her time as a seminary teacher in North Carolina. She was without a doubt the greatest ministering sister to all. When she was in the Relief Society Presidency they decided to make Valentine cookies for every sister in the ward. That started a 30 year tradition of making Valentine cookies for others. This year she made 260 cookies each individualized with the person’s name and flower on it. At her peak she was making 400 cookies a year. Midge was passionate about volunteering and service. She created and organized the clothing center at the Utah State Hospital and volunteered there for 28 years. She made hundreds of nightgowns and quilts for humanitarian efforts. She baked countless loaves of bread, meals for those in crisis, and goodies and treats for people in her community. In 1994 Midge received the State of Utah Silver Bowl Award from Governor Mike Leavitt in recognition of her outstanding community service efforts. She and her friend Peggy maximized life. While the children were home, the family traveled somewhere every year. After the children were raised, they sailed on 7 cruises, went to Europe 5 times, Hawaii twice, Guatemala, and many remote and unique places in the United States with at least yearly trips to Canada to visit Peggy’s family, who quickly became her family too. Midge was preceded in death by her loving husband, John Rooks, her son Brian, her parents and grandparents. She is survived by 7 children and their spouses: John David (Kiyomi), Kristine (John Breeding), Robert (Lindsey), Craig (Kelly), Devin (Bethany), Darin (Marie), and Cheryl (Eric Vawdrey); 20 grandchildren: Allison, Emily, Liz, Tyler, Jonathan, Amanda, Madison, Owen, Noah, Megan, Jacob, Katie, Brooklyn, Christopher, Darby, Maxwell, Lucy, Ruby, Kaiya and Kaden; her siblings C. Steven Dawson (Janet) and Mary Dawson Wood (Duaine), and many nieces and nephews. She was the favorite aunt. Also surviving Midge is her dearest friend and caregiver Peggy Grusendorf…and many others who dearly love her. Due to current circumstances, there will not be a funeral. Private graveside services will be held on Monday, March 30, 2020. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, UT. A celebration of Midge’s life will be held at a later date. Condolences may be expressed and a video of her service may be viewed shortly after the service at www.bergmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Primary Children’s Hospital or the Humanitarian Aid Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.