Dawn Ellen (nee: Osadsky) Kawa, 70, passed away peacefully at Seasons Hospice in Waukesha, on her favorite day of the year, Dec. 24, 2011, surrounded by her loving family following a short yet courageous battle with brain cancer.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, 7 p.m. at St. Lucy's Catholic Church, 3035 Drexel Ave, Racine, WI with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church from 4:30 p.m. until the time of service. A private interment will take place at Graceland Cemetery in Racine.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dawn Kawa Memorial Fund, which will in turn go to the Brain Tumor Research Program - Dr. Connelly at the Froedtert Foundation.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Jennifer Connelly and her staff, Seasons Hospice RN Cheryl Wolff and staff, and Chaplain Steven Stern for their care and compassion during Dawn's illness