Dawn Cheri Contrucci, 65, of Erie (formerly of Ellwood City) unexpectedly passed away Saturday, September 29, 2018 at UPMC – Hamot Hospital in Erie. She was a loving wife, an amazing mother, proud grandmother and a woman of God, who whole heartedly shared her faith with all.
Born April 28, 1953 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Wallace Carroll and Betty Boots Carroll Koch. She married her high school sweetheart, John J. Contrucci. They have been married for 41 years.
Dawn was a Mary Kay Consultant for over 30 years and was a Senior Sales Director. She graduated from Lincoln High School and received her Associates Degree from Geneva College. While in college, she sang with “The Genevans”. Dawn was a member of the Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church. In Erie, she is a member of Church of the Cross since its inception, where she is active in the Women’s Bible Study and the choir. Dawn also volunteered at the Erie City Mission and Dress for Success.
In addition to her husband, John, survivors include a daughter, Rachel (Kevin) Carlson of Pittsburgh; three sisters, Jackie Streckeisen of North Sewickley Twp., Bonnie (Aaron) Stabryla of Ellwood City, Cindy (Dwayne) Martin of Winchester, VA; one grandson, Parker Carlson, and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her step-father, Wallace Koch, and brother in law, Dick Streckeisen.
Friends will be received on Wednesday October 3 from 4-8 pm at the Marshall Funeral Home 200 Fountain Ave. Ellwood City. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday at the Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am with Rev. Drew Himes officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the family in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com.
I will be forever grateful to have had Dawn as my MK Momma. She was my friend, my mentor, my go-to person… the reason I am who I am today. My prayers to John, Rachel and family. May you have peace and strength at this most difficult time. I miss her terribly already. If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate.
Our condolences to the family. Dawn always had a smile and shared the Lords love wth everyone.
Dawn and I have kept in touch for years. Even though I live in FL it saddens me to know she isn’t here on earth any more. I became friends with her when she was a secretary at Riverside in the 70’s. RIP
Our deepest sympathy John for the loss of your loving wife Dawn
May you realize that Dawn is now in the arms of our Lord who will
love and take care of her as she deserves. Dawn will be with you all
as we will be in your time of need. God Bless each of you and May Dawn
Rest In Peace.
Love you Dawn love Bonnie
Bonnie, so sorry to hear about Dawn. She was a beautiful person. Prayers to you and your family.
So very sorry to hear of Dawn’s untimely death. I knew her from Church of the Cross. She was always so happy and friendly. I know she is enjoying a beautiful reunion in heaven right now. She will be sadly missed by us all at Church of the Cross. My deepest sympathy to her family.
The world was a better place because of Dawn. Now, heaven has another angel to look over her loved ones, family and friends. You left a wonderful, encouraging and loving impression on everyone. We will miss your radiance but will remember you always. I will look upon the Dawn as the sun rises to to remember you.
Dawn, my Mary Kay friend for so many years. Always positive and supportive. Will miss you. Love, Doreen
My heart is broken by the news that Dawn passed away at such an early age…. She was a very vibrant, loving, spiritual woman of faith and we enjoyed when she came to visit us in CA when she had Mary Kay Functions in the area. My Mother Evelyn Lucille Brouwere was born in Ellwood City, PA and Betty (Dawn’s Mother) was my mother’s best friend. The families kept in touch. My Mom moved to CA and married my father Charles L. Treat – but Betty and Evelyn kept in touch and met the families…. Betty and Dawn and Tara came out to CA to visit my husband and I and we loved having them here…. We loved Betty and Dawn…. And we will continue to love Tara and hope to keep in close touch….
Rama Treat-Morris on October 1, 2018 at 2:32 pm said:
My heart is broken by the news that Dawn passed away at such an early age…. She was a very vibrant, loving, spiritual woman of faith and we enjoyed when she came to visit us in CA when she had Mary Kay Functions in the area. My Mother Evelyn Lucille Brouwere was born in Ellwood City, PA and Betty (Dawn’s Mother) was my mother’s best friend. The families kept in touch. My Mom moved to CA and married my father Charles L. Treat – but Betty and Evelyn kept in touch and met the families…. Betty and Dawn and Tara came out to CA to visit my husband and I and we loved having them here…. We loved Betty and Dawn…. And we will continue to love Tara and hope to keep in close touch….
Reply ↓
We will most definitely keep in touch, Rama! Love you!
The world of. Mary Kay has lost a loving, kind, thoughtful Sister. I will so miss my spiritual, loving friend. Always a shining star. My heart aches for her presence. Rest in loving peace.
Sending you all my love and hugs Rachel and family. I am so sorry about your mom. I remember her as a very spirited woman. She brought so much positivity and I see that in you Rachel! I am truly so sorry. Sending prayers for hope, comfort and peace knowing she is with the Lord.
John, I am so deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dawn. We truly understand death when God places His hands upon one whom we love. It’s not just a matter of losing a loved one, it’s a lifetime of memories yet to be made. We must always have old memories and young hopes. My thoughts and prayers remain with you and Dawn’s entire family. May God bless all of you.
My deepest sympathy to Dawn’s family. She was a wonderful person and strong in the Lord.
John, so very sorry to hear of your loss. Deepest sympathies to you and all of Dawn’s family and friends.
My deepest sympathy Jon, Rachel, Kevin and Parker,
It’s still unbelievable that our angel on earth is now an angel in heaven. You will always be my BFF and nobody could ever replace you. I’m glad we always let each other know how we felt about each other. I will see you “on the other side” when God gives me my marching orders. I will always hold you close in my heart. Love you.. Cheryl ?
My sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this woman of Faith. Dawn was such a beautiful servant of God, and I am a better person for having known her. I love you Dawn.
My sincere sympathy to the entire family on Dawn’s unexpected passing. I sang with Dawn in the Genevans and we kept in touch for many years. Always inspiring, encouraging, and strong in her faith, she lived out her beliefs in every aspect of her life and was a blessing to many. With prayers for God’s comfort and love to support you through this difficult time.
My heart is very sadden by this news. Dawn was such a great friend. We sang together in High School and she was always ready to help with class reunions. She will be missed by many; and all those who met her and knew her are better people for having this wonderful angel in their lives. My heartfelt sympathies to her family. She sings with the angels now.
Dawn was so special and full of love. I will.miss her and her prayers and her awsomevsuport. ashe is singing with 5he angles. I love you Dawn
Charlotte
My sincere condolences to John, Rachel, Jackie, Bonnie, Cindy and the family. I share your sorrow sincerely.
Dawn has lived her life gracefully. She was the reason to many wonderful memories of my year in Elllwood City. I enjoyed and loved being with her and her family which everyone was full of joy, faith, kindness and love. She was a lifelong friend and our friendship let us hold each other though we lived on the opposite sides of the world. I am grateful to have had her in my life. I loved Dawn very much and will love her for the rest of my life.
Rest in peace my beautiful angel.
My deepest condolences, Dawn was a very special lady whom I adored and got to see Everytime I went to Erie to visit my cousin Cheryl,. I always enjoyed meeting up with Dawn. I really loved her very much. May she Rest In Peace in Heaven with our Heavenly Father. And everyone she loved. She will never be forgotten.
I will always remember Dawn as not only my Mary Kay consultant for 30 years, but also as the good friend she became over those years. I am heart broken and will miss all the nice things that she was forever doing, because that was Dawn….everything beautiful & nice. Rest in Peace my friend.
I’d like to offer my sincere sympathy to Dawn Contrucci’s family. I never had the pleasure of meeting them, but I knew Dawn & wanted you to know how sad I was to hear when she was ill & then to hear that she had passed away. Dawn was my adopted MK Director some years ago. I moved away, but recently had an opportunity to talk to her again. It was like time had not passed…Dawn was as kind & loving as she always was..she prayed with me for my family & kept in touch with me. I pray that you will all remember your wonderful memories of Dawn, and know that she is resting in peace. My heart, thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I will never forget your beautiful Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Friend. God bless you all.
My sincere sympathy to the Dawn’s family and friends. Dawn was my adopted MK Mother. I had recently spoken to her and she was, as always, kind, compassionate and loving.
My heart, thoughts and prayers to all of Dawn’s family and to all who loved her.
May Dawn rest in peace.
We were shocked, as was everyone, at Dawn’s sudden and unexpected death. Our hearts go out to you. Such a loss. We think now of Dawn’s upbeat spirit, who was deeply committed to be a loving wife, mother, grandmother and of course, colleague to many in Mary Kay and friend to all she met. She had a lovely voice, a beautiful spirit, and was a joy to be around. She was received into the Lord’s everlasting arms so unexpectedly, there was no time to say goodbye. But she will be there to say hello when we make that same transition. With love in Christ – Jim & Jule McCormack