Dawna Louise (Birchmore) Matkevicius

SALEM - Dawna Louise (Birchmore) Matkevicius, 59 years-old of Salem, MA died on June 22nd after a short battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Dawna was born on April 12, 1967, at Beverly Hospital and lived in Salem nearly her entire life. She attended Salem Public schools. Dawna earned two associate degrees: Medical Administration and Management from North Shore Community College, and a Medical Transcriptionist Certificate. Dawna also earned her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, graduated Summa Cum Laude, and a TESOL, Teaching Certificate from Salem State University.

Dawna started working at the age of fourteen and had many jobs, her favorite was serving roast beef at Minos in Salem into the early morning hours. She became serious when her children were born and earned her Nursing Assistant Certificate at Beverly Hospital where she worked cross-trained as a Nurse’s Aide and a Unit Secretary. She was also a phlebotomist and a Certified Home Health Aide. After she earned her first degree, she worked at North Shore Community College for the Registrar’s Office assisting with the Corporate and Community Education Programs. She was promoted to work for the College Tech Prep grant program. She worked at Salem State College in the School of Nursing for ten years. She worked for the University’s Frederick E. Berry Library and the Commonwealth Honors Program for fourteen years and recently returned to work for the nursing program before she became ill.

Dawna was a volunteer teacher during her life. She was a certified catechist who taught third grade religious education classes at St. James Parish, and she also served on the altar. Dawna worked for Catholic Charities teaching ESL classes at Espacio in Salem’s Point Neighborhood. Dawna wrote a children’s book, the Flowerpot Robins Nest, after witnessing the bird of robins on her porch. Dawna was a shopaholic, clean-freak, plant lover, and soap opera junkie. Dawna loved the Red Sox, Celtics and always enjoyed music and dancing.

Dawna leaves her loving husband, Mark Douglas Matkevicius, her daughter, Nicole Thomas and her fiancé, Jason of Londonderry, NH and her son, Justin Matkevicius and his partner, Melissa of Haverhill. Three grandchildren Caden, Macie, and Trevor James Thomas. A brother Robert Birchmore and his wife, Andria, two nieces, Katelyn Mellet and Kelsey Birchmore, and a nephew, Corey Birchmore from Uckfield, England in the UK. Aunts, an uncle, and several cousins. Many close friends, some like sisters. She was predeceased by her father, Robert (Birdie) Birchmore, and her mother, Marylou O’Brien Birchmore Sexton.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Dawna’s Funeral Mass which will be held at St. James Church, Federal St., Salem, on Saturday, June 27th at 10 A.M. Visiting hours at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals - Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM on Friday, June 26th from 4 to 7 P.M. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of her life to be held at Danversport, Elliot St., Danvers immediately following the funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Compassionate Care ALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com