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Dawn Ventura
April 23, 1940 - February 27, 2017
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<div itemprop="description">Ventura, Dawn <br>April 23, 1940 – February 27, 2017 <br>Peacefully at home in Ottawa on Monday February 27th at the age of 76, with her loving partner of 35 years, Cindy Wiggins, by her side. Beloved daughter of Margaret (nee Webster) and William Ventura. Cherished sister of Joan Dehler, Robert Ventura, Gordon Ventura, Karen MacNaught and Rhea Pilon. Dawn had a lifelong, beautiful and loving relationship with her nieces and nephew – Mary Anne, Elizabeth, Christina and Jennifer Dehler, and Jeffrey and Katherine Pilon. Special great aunt to Sarah and Alexandra Lamarche, and Eva, Elsa and Willem van Blokland, Hanna and Olivia Rioseco. Much loved niece of James and Michael Ventura. <br>Dawn worked at the Bank of Canada, The Economic Council of Canada and the Canadian Labour Congress, finishing her career at the CLC as Director of Social and Economic Policy. With great passion, she dedicated herself to advocating for, and improving the lives of working people, and wrote about economic and social issues in language workers could understand. <br>Dawn loved the sport of curling. As with everything she cared about, she was determined to be the best at it she could be. In the 1970s, Dawn’s progressive style was part of the changing face of women’s curling which was then evolving beyond a straight draw game to one of draw, take-out and heightened strategy. She won the Ontario Women’s Curling Championships in 1974 and 1976, going on to represent Ontario in The Canadian Women’s Curling Championship – The Lassie. In 1986, Dawn played 3rd stone for the Dave Van Dine rink, winning the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship. In October 2001, Dawn was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame. <br>Dawn was a strong, vibrant woman who graced our lives with love, dignity and generosity. Always in our hearts. <br>Dawn’s care at the hands of doctors and nurses at the General and Queensway Carleton Hospitals was grounded in an ethos of care and compassion. Lachlan, a greeter at the door of the General, was extraordinarily kind. So too were the wonderful women caregivers from Bayshore Home Health. There is a special place in our hearts for Dr. Lisa Cross, a specialist in palliative medicine. She accompanied us on Dawn’s final journey, providing a pathway for us to take care of both Dawn and ourselves. Her wisdom and compassion gave us comfort and peace. Friends may pay respects at the Kelly Funeral Home, Carling Chapel, 2313 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K2B 7G3, 613-828-2313 on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. A Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers donations to the Ottawa Food Bank would be appreciated. <br> <br> <br></div>