Dawn "Dawn" Leavitt

Betty Dawn Gilpin Leavitt of Idaho Falls, Idaho, died quietly of natural causes, surrounded by family, on Friday, September 14, 2012 at Mount Vernon Assisted Living Center. She was 89. Dawn was born on May 9, 1923, in Bisbee, Arizona, to Francis Eugene Gilpin and Mary Leavirn Kempton Gilpin. She grew up in Arizona and graduated from Mesa Union High School in 1941. Her memories of the Great Depression of the 1930s and of World War II greatly affected how she thought about the challenges of life. On February 14, 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Philip Neldon Leavitt, Sr. in Mesa, Arizona. They moved to Idaho Falls in 1956. They worked together to build his private obstetrics practice, first located on “F” Street. Together they raised six children: Kiplin Philip “Kip,” Susan Leavirn, Philip Neldon, Jr., William Francis “Bill,” Stephanie Dawn, and Mary “Elizabeth.” Dawn and Philip later divorced. Dawn attended Woodbury College in Los Angeles and Idaho State University. She worked in banking and as a Senior Buyer for the Department of Energy in Idaho and Washington. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Taylor Crossing Ward. She spoke often of how important her Visiting Teachers and Home Teachers were in her life. Of exceptional note were the Winn and Nancy Monk family. In the end, Dawn was tenderly cared for by Creekside Hospice and the caring staff of Mount Vernon Assisted Living. Dawn was gifted in music and drama. In her early years in Idaho Falls, she was active in the Music Club and was a respected piano teacher. She was active in several drama groups and performed leading roles in many local plays. Dawn loved classical music, skiing, reading, painting, crossword puzzles, and old movies. The most important thing of all, however, was her family. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of her life and the joy of her days. Survivors are: Daughter: Susan Leavirn (Ken) Dicus of Rigby, ID; Son: Philip Neldon (Shellee) Leavitt, Jr. of Pocatello, ID; Son: William F. “Bill” (Mary) Leavitt of Emmett, ID; Daughter: Stephanie Dawn (Joe) Walrath of Idaho Falls, ID; Daughter: Elizabeth Hoskinson of Shelley, ID; 15 Grandchildren and 18 Great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, and her son, Kiplin Philip Leavitt. Graveside Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 20, 2012, at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Bonneville County Humane Society, P. O. Box 2763, Idaho Falls, ID 83403.

Graveside Services -- Thusday

10:00 a.m. ,Thursday, September 20, 2012 Fielding Memorial Park 4750 South Yellowstone Highway Idaho Falls, ID, Bonneville 83402