Dawn Richelle (Brellenthin) Paoli, 52, passed away June 5, 2013, at her home in Novato, Calif., after a prolonged illness. She was born May 7, 1961, in Browerville, Minn.
She was the daughter of Rene´ Obear of Sacramento, Calif., a graduate of Delavan–Darien High School in 1960, and Richard Brellenthin, formerly of Elkhorn.
She was the granddaughter of Howard L. Obear, Jr., and the great–granddaughter of Alice and Howard L. (Petersen) Obear, Sr, who are all former residents of Delavan, and who are all buried at St. Andrews Cemetery.
Survivors include a great aunt; sisters, Mary Benet Obear, and the former Shirley Anne Obear; her mother, Rene´ Dawn Obear; father, Richard LeRoy Brellenthin; her life partner, Joseph Spah, Novato, Calif., ex-husband, D. Bruce Paoli, San Rafael, Calif.; brother, Kurt Brellenthin, San Rafael, Calif.; children Richelle (Paoli) Rivas and Devon Alexander Paoli, Novato, Calif.; and grandchildren, Leonardo, Noel, and Nyliah Rivas; also surviving are many aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Lynn and Kim Brellenthin, in 1979, and by all of her grandparents.
A celebration of life was held June 15 in California. A memorial bench will be placed at the gravesite of her sisters in Santa Rosa, Calif. The bench will be built by her brother, Kurt.
To Dawn, I wanted to tell you that I love you always and I miss you so much. I think of you everyday and I wonder if you think of me. I miss your strength, your passion for life, your beauty, your friendship and so much more. I will always treasure the time that we spent together. Always know that what ever happens from now till the end of time that you will always have a special place in my heart. I look forward to seeing you someday, but not yet as I still have work to do here. Look in on me from time to time, I can really use your help. It was an honor to know you and I wanted to thank you for sharing the last 15 years of your life with me. I learned a lot about life and love from one of the smartest, most beautiful persons inside and out that I have ever met. I hope to make you proud of me as I strive to live my life. I also wanted to tell you about your children. You would be so proud of them, you did good honey. They have all of your strengths and I see a lot of you in both of them. I never doubted the persons they would become, but they have far exceeded my expectations in every way. I must go, but never forget that you helped to make me the man I am today and even thou I have shortcomings I try to do the best I can. Love Joe. 6/5/14.
Joe, is it possible for us to talk? I would like to ask you about Dawn…..John