The family invites you to watch the Celebration of Dawn's Life. Please click here

With the heaviest of hearts, the family of Dawn Rosallyn Tallant (nee: Baskerville) announce her peaceful passing on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, three days after her 82nd birthday.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 60 years, Murray; children Melanie (Larry Townsend), Spring, and Zane (Rachel); grandchildren Wyllow Townsend, Wyatt, Luke, and Leah Tallant; Kiya, Bryer, and Kynesha Townsend (Little Eagle McArthur); great-grandchildren Aria Sarkonak, Braxtyn and Quill McArthur; sisters Valerie (Cec Smoley), Jayne Baskerville, and sister/niece Lillian (Fred Branscombe); sisters-in-law Eldean, Maida, and Carol Baskerville, and Beverlea Tallant, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, Josie and Dawson Baskerville, her in-laws Muriel and Maurice Tallant, sisters Betty, Eileen (Keith Cyr), and Velma, brothers Doug, Cam (Joanne), Jim, and Warren, special cousin Stormy Varcoe, and nephew Curtis Cyr.

Dawn was born on October 2nd, 1942, in Vita, MB, the 8th of 10+1 children in the Baskerville family. She was raised and attended school in Dominion City, MB, then moved to Altona, MB at age 16 to work as a nightshift switchboard operator for MTS. She later moved to Winnipeg, MB to work as an office administrator for Wilson's Stationary Company. She met Murray in the summer of 1962. The two were married at St. Matthew's Anglican Church in Winnipeg, MB on February 1st, 1964, and thus began their family. Dawn became a stay-at-home Mom and provided childcare to other families as she raised her own in the St. Vital community.

The family moved to Brandon, MB in the summer of 1974 and settled in the Green Acres community where their home still is today. Dawn continued providing childcare until her youngest attended school full days. She then began working for Clark's Insurance on 6th St. in Brandon and remained there for several years until Sarge Clark retired the business. She went on to work in office administration for the Brandon Speech and Language Clinic and then for the Guild Insurance Group. Dawn retired in November 1998 due to ill health.

In her youth, Dawn was an active athlete involved in swimming, skating, and softball. While doing the front crawl, she could smoothly cut through the water like it was glass. She continued playing women's fastball in Winnipeg as a formidable pitcher, volunteered and coached in Brandon Youth Softball for her daughters, and finally converted to a "Saggin' Bagger" in the Brandon slo-pitch league. Dawn was a competitive 5-Pin bowler for decades, participating in leagues and tournaments at both provincial and national levels. She rolled an almost perfect game, but that corner pin refused to go down. The joke was on her as it occurred on April the 1st! She was also an active member of the Manitoba and Westman 5 Pin Bowlers Associations. She coached in the Youth Bowling Council for many years and also ran the Golden Agers program at Recreation Lanes. She was very loved by her protégés, both young and old. Dawn volunteered heavily with the Brandon Youth Hockey Association, was an associate member and avid volunteer with the Brandon Royal Canadian Legion Branch #3, and was a member and volunteer for the Brandon Army, Navy, and Air Force Veterans of Canada, Unit #10.
When Dawn had some "free time", you could always find her either tending her plethora of green indoor plants or her luscious, colourful flower beds in her backyard. She was an incredible cook, baker, and was "the hostess with the mostest". She always had an open door policy for family, friends, and all of the neighbourhood kids, making sure nobody left her home unwatered or unfed. She was lovingly referred to as Mama, Mama T, or Mrs.T!

Dawn will be fondly remembered for her strength in the face of many health adversities, her unconditional and unwavering love for her family and friends, and her joie de vivre, wicked sense of humour, and the best snort-laugh around.

We will remember and love you, forever and always, Mama.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 25th, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the banquet hall of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #3, located at 560-13th Street East, Brandon, MB. All are welcome to attend.

Memorial donations may be made in Dawn's name to the Alzheimer Society of MB: Westman Region, Unit 4B, 457-9th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 1K2, 204-729-8320, Email: alzwm@alzheimer.mb.ca.