Jeni Drew Darrow Dawson, 74
Whitefish Pilot | UPDATED 1 hour, 54 minutes AGO
Jeni Drew Darrow Dawson died June 29, in Fort Nelson, British Columbia after a brief battle with cancer.
Jeni was born September 1, 1951 in Detroit, MI to Bruce Arthur and Margaret Elliot Drew.
In 1961 after living in various states, the family moved to Minneapolis, MN where Jeni spent the remainder of her childhood.
In 1972, Jeni married Paul Darrow, and they moved to Montana with their infant son, Benjamin. By 1974, the Darrows lived on Lupfer Ave. in Whitefish and had their second child, Paul J. Darrow.
Jeni lived in Whitefish until 1993, making many friends and having many adventures. Most people will remember her best from playing softball, and her restaurant jobs at the Brothers’ Corral, the Place, the Coupe de Ville, Frederick’s, and the Buffalo Cafe.
In 1993 during a trip to Alaska in a 1963 Buick Electra, the car broke down in Fort Nelson, British Columbia. It was there, while waiting for parts to fix the Buick, that Jeni met Rob Dawson. They spent the next 33 years together in Fort Nelson.
Jeni spent many summers in Minneapolis caring for her parents. During her retirement years, Jeni enjoyed gardening, volunteering at Northern Lamplighters Centre in Fort Nelson, and winning at cards any chance she got.
Jeni was predeceased by her parents, her older brother Chris Drew, and her youngest brother, Timmy Drew.
Jeni is survived by her husband, Rob Dawson of Fort Nelson, B.C. and stepson Allen, siblings Nancy Drew (Jim Erickson) of Clifford, ND, Jon Drew (E Fischer Drew) of Minnetonka, MN, and Mary Drew Powers (Brian) of Whitefish, MT. Also surviving are her sons Ben Darrow (Amanda) of Missoula, MT, and Paul Darrow (Liz) of Bellingham, WA, her grandchildren Dresdon, Lucas, and Ruby, her niece Christy Murray (Neil) and their children Rowan and Bea.
Ways to remember Jeni: plant a flower and nurture a garden. Sing Janis Joplin at the top of your lungs. Play cribbage ferociously. Say “Ahhh” when taking the first sip of coffee in the morning. Keep a hoarding of cool stuff from yard sales in a closet and invite friends to choose something.
But most of all, laugh long and loud.
We love you, Jeni.
Jeni Drew Darrow Dawson