Dawn Marie Thompson Olinger

Dawn Marie Thompson Olinger, 55, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2015, in Seattle. She was born November 2, 1960, in Seattle, the daughter of John and Linda (Wenning) Thompson. Dawn grew up in Bellevue and Seattle, graduating from Franklin High School and later from Wells College in Aurora, New York, with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

In 1985, she began her 30-year career at Group Health, in the optometry department. Later, she moved into consumer relations, eventually leading the Member Appeals department and directing Group Health’s Medicare program. She was well respected in her career at Group Health, as everyone who worked with her will confirm.

A woman of significance, Dawn’s real gift was her role as “the best mom in the world.” She adored her two boys, Brad and Stevie, and their safety and success in life were always her highest priority. Dawn always made time for their activities and was ever-present at their many baseball games, cheering and encouraging them every step of the way. What they do in life will be founded in her strong support and loving nature. She also had a wonderful ability to gently engage and mother the many good friends that her boys brought home.

Dawn loved baseball and, as a result of her love of the game, both of her sons are exceptional baseball players. She loved NASCAR and frequently traveled to Arizona with her boys and sister to spend time at races with her parents and friends there. She loved cats, knitting, travelling with her dear friend Barb (many trips, including Italy, Ireland and Iceland), and playing contract rummy on Sunday evenings with close friends. Whether she won or lost, her smiles and hugs at the end of the game were the best part of the evening for everyone around the table. Wherever she went, she made the discussions warmer and more enriching (and the kitchen tidier!), and when she walked into the room, everyone smiled that Dawn was now there.

Dawn will always be in our hearts and we know that with her strong faith in God, she and God will always be watching over and nurturing her two beautiful boys as their lives unfold. She was loved by so many because, in her quiet, confident, nurturing way, she loved so many and accepted everyone with a smile and a kind word. Beautiful inside and out, she was always willing to lend a hand, give a hug, cry with you and laugh with you.

Dawn is survived by her parents John and Linda, her sister Cindy Thompson, and her sons Bradley and Steven Olinger, as well as numerous relatives. A memorial service will be held at Trinity West Seattle church, 7551 35th Ave. S.W., on December 5, 2015 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Group Health Foundation Hospice or a charity of your choice.