Dawn Parsons Feller, 68, of Hinsdale, passed away Sept. 16, 2023, at home, surrounded by family.
Dawn was born in Waltham, Mass., in 1955. After living in Virginia for three years, Dawn and her family moved to Clarendon Hills, where she entered second grade at Prospect School. She graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in 1973, earned her bachelor of fine arts from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., in 1977, and earned her master of fine arts from Vermont College of Fine Art in 2012.
She married Bob Feller on Sept. 4, 1982. Bob and Dawn's friendship began in high school, and they embodied a loving, joyful and dedicated marriage partnership for 41 years. Dawn will be remembered as a wonderful artist, daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt and grandmother.
As a member of the Peace Corps from 1978-80, teaching art history, painting and drawing at Jamaica College of Art in Kingston, Dawn continued her lifelong journey as an artist.
"It was one of the first times that I began to understand how important art is in everything that I do. I've been searching for ways to use art to give back."
Bringing that dedication to life, Dawn and her mother, Lil Parsons, were on the founding board of the Women's Opportunity Fund of Opportunity International since 1990. WOF helped develop the Trust Group methodology, which was eventually adopted by all opportunity partners.
Informing Dawn's actions throughout her life was this determination to help the poorest and most vulnerable among us. From her teaching experience with underprivileged children in Columbia, Mo., to the many entrepreneurial projects WOF funded around the world, countless women and their families benefited from Dawns work. Dawn's expressions of love through art will forever keep her memory alive for friends and family and the many others in her sphere of influence who were lucky enough to know and love her.
Dawn is survived by her husband, Bob Feller; her daughters, Erin (Scott Persing) Feller, Alissa (Joe Pearson) Feller, Amanda (Harlan Chamberlain) Feller and Chloe Feller; her grandchildren, Carter Persing, Elsie Persing, Emery Pearson and Maika Pearson; her sister, Judy (Steve) Crummett; her brothers, Ted (Jana) Parsons and Cole (Andrea) Parsons; her mother-in-law, Virginia Feller; her sister-in-law, Barbara Feller; and her six nieces and nephews, Teddy, Grace, Torri, Nate, Shelby and Jimmy.
A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11 at Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S. Garfield Ave.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S. Garfield Ave., Hinsdale, IL 60521.
