Dawn Marcian (Eckenrode) Mason

Dawn Marcian Eckenrode Mason passed away peacefully at the age of 69 on July 15, 2023 with her soulmate by her side.

She was born to the late Jerry and Lorraine (Dodson) Eckenrode on March 20, 1954 in Chambersburg, PA. The family relocated to Cinnaminson, New Jersey when Dawn was 3 years old.

At a young age, Dawn had dreamed of becoming a doctor and was told that it’s very competitive for women/girls to become a doctor. She wrote a letter to the Jefferson School of Medicine to inquire about attending medical school when she was older. She received a letter from the registrar’s office to please apply when she was older.

Dawn graduated from Saint Casimir’s Catholic School in 1968 and was a 1972 graduate of Cinnaminson High School. During high school, she was very active in the school’s Student Council, Burlington County’s H.S. Student Council, Exchange Program, Teen Advisory Board, Teen Council, and many after school functions and activities. Being the beginning era of the 70s, Dawn was always finding ways in advancing students’ rights or working with Cinnaminson Township to provide areas in the town where teenagers could congregate and have fun. She helped in organizing a block party near the police station where kids could freely hang out and hear local bands. After high school, Dawn attended University of Southern California and Rutgers University.

In 1974, she opened her first business in Chambersburg, PA called ‘Dawn’s Plant Place’ and traveled around the United States doing craft shows from 1976-1982. She was a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Chambersburg and managed several residential buildings providing affordable housing. In 1982, as Walmart was starting to become a household name, Dawn was president of DAGE Inc. that manufactured handmade wood furnishings that were accessible for purchase at 11 Walmart’s on the East Coast. In the late 1990s, she owned Tuscarora Mountain Woodworks, with stores in Chambersburg PA and Frederick MD and was a full-time stepmom and homemaker. In 2012, with encouragement from a high school friend, Dawn moved to Commerce, Georgia and did merchandising for Kellogg’s, Walmart, and Home Depot.

Here’s where a fairytale came true. With two swipes to the right Dawn met her soulmate and fiancé Bob. They had been together for 10 years and had decided to make their commitment together legally official. They were making plans for a September wedding.

Dawn loved working with plants and had a fascination with moss, working in her yard, her fur baby Spencer, cooking healthy meals, and traveling with Bob. Having no biological children of her own, she was so proud of her stepdaughter, Ashley, in how she became a strong and loving mother and wife, and loved being the best MiMi to her stepdaughter’s children.

Dawn was predeceased by her parents, brother Mark and sisters Eve Maureen and Angela Marie. She is survived by the love of her life Bob Dingler; stepdaughter Ashley Peterson (Dennis) and grandchildren Daisy and Dakota of Chambersburg, PA; loving sister Gem, niece Sarah, and nephew Cody Nenninger, stepchildren Anna, Michelle, Jenny, Michael,Robbie and grandchildren Morgan, Jeremy, Ethan, Gabriel, Rylan and Bobby. 

A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 3rd at 3 pm at American Legion Hall, 1350 Historic Homer Hwy., Homer, GA 30547.

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