There are condolences waiting approval on Dawn's Tribute wall
Celebrating the life of Dawn Jarvis-Pinkham
Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of
Dawn.
This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate
the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate
to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Obituary for Dawn Jarvis-Pinkham
Dawn Jarvis-Pinkham passed away unexpectedly on Friday August 27, 2021 at Kaiser Hospital in Vacaville following a brief illness, leaving family and friends in heartbroken disbelief. She was 47 years old. Dawn was a beautiful girl in every sense of the word. Friendly and outgoing, easy to talk to, she made everyone feel valued and important. She had a captivating smile, stunning light green eyes and liked to wear her hair pulled up in a ponytail. She was a natural beauty.
Dawn was born in Santa Rosa but called Vacaville her home. She graduated from Vacaville High in 1991 and worked at many local restaurants over the years. She also owned and operated her own residential and office cleaning service called Dust to Dawn. As a single mom she faced life’s challenges head on, with strength and determination. She was a hard worker, and for a period of time held down three jobs simultaneously to support herself and her two sons, Dalton and Austin. Her boys were her life and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. Dalton reflected on life growing up… “Our mom was like Rosie the Riveter, she was tough and resilient. She could do 10 things at one time and make it seem effortless. She was the absolute definition of what a mother should be. People tell me that for the entire first year of my life she carried me with her everywhere she went. They would ask, “Dawn, are you ever going to put that baby down?” and she would smile and say, “No.” She just loved being a mother. She always treated me and my brother as her equals. We could talk to her about anything. She would tell us, “Life is hard, but life is great. Life is what you make it.” Austin was her heart, and I was her right arm… We were like the Three Musketeers.”
Dawn was a proud mom and was recently delighted to become a proud grandmother too. True to her “family first” values, she was also passionate about reuniting families. In her spare time, she was a Lead Administrator and Search Angel for Search Squad, an organization that uses numerous data bases and DNA technology to help reunite adoptees with their birth families. After dating each other for many years, Dawn married Ben Pinkham in 2017. Together they enjoyed working on their house, collecting vintage arcade games and signs and hosting wonderful holiday celebrations. Family and friends looked forward to “Thanksgiving at Ben and Dawn’s”, which quickly became an annual tradition. Dawn had a flair for decorating, and a gift for making everyone feel right at home.
She is survived by her husband Ben of Vacaville, her sons, Dalton and Austin Turner, granddaughter Annalicia Joleene, her father Duane Dorr of Alaska, stepmother Joanne Jarvis of Weed, CA, and her two dogs Jasmine and Little Sarah. She was preceded in death by her mother Michele Jarvis in 2015. Dawn always found a way to rise above life’s challenges, lifting up and inspiring those around her to succeed as well. She was funny, feisty, persistent, and didn’t take no for an answer. Dawn was a winner, as beautiful in spirit as she was in person, and she will be missed more than words can say. Her funeral service will be held at McCune Garden Chapel, 212 Main Street, Vacaville, on Saturday September 25th at 1:00, with a celebration of life following the service.
