Mary Edith Dawson 

METAIRIE, La. — Memorial services for Mary “Missy” Edith Dawson, 67, of New Orleans, who died peacefully Wednesday, May 10, 2017, while surrounded by family and friends, will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home, 1600 N. Causeway Blvd. at 43rd Street in Metairie, La.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.

Missy was born July 4, 1949, in Natchez, the daughter or Lev Dawson and Elizabeth Lirette.

For the past 30 years, she lived in New Orleans. She spent much of her adult life fishing and entertaining in Venice, La., as she loved nothing more than being on or near the water. Anyone who had the fortunate experience of meeting her there, truly knew her as the “Queen of Venice.”

Missy, who never met a stranger, always wanted to make people feel at home, even in her final moments. When being around her, you couldn’t help but laugh or smile because of her charm and quick wit.

Ms. Dawson was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include three brothers, Lev Dawson and wife, Ann, Steve Dawson and wife, Kathleen, and Bobby Dawson and wife, Barbara; two daughters, Tanya Romero and Simone Reggie; two grandchildren, Dawson and Madison Romero and their father, Luke; and her partner, Ray Thorne, who has been by her side and aiding in her care throughout a long illness, showing her unconditional love.

A special thanks to the staff at East Jefferson Hospital, Chateau Notre Dame and Canon Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Akula Foundation, on behalf of Canon Hospice, or the John Besh Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent to tharpsontheimerfh.com.