At each event I attended from October 30 through the 2024 holidays, residents of Sussex County were in shock and mourning over the passing of Dawn Hall, a local nurse, civic volunteer, mother, grandmother, sibling and mentor to many. The more I learned about the ways she contributed to this community, the more I wanted guests at The Ampersand to know Dawn too

Dawn grew up in Franklin Lakes, NJ, resided for many years in Sandyston Twp (where she raised her family and was an active volunteer and PTO President at Sandyston-Walpack School) and, more recently, lived in Hampton Township. Her nursing career included Holy Name Hospital (Teaneck), Wallkill Valley General Hospital (Sussex), tour as a visiting nurse; and Intake Coordinator at Bristol Glen (Newton). Dawn was proud to have worked in the Emergency Room, Operating Room — any department where her help was needed. Not only was Dawn’s nursing skillset broad, but her patients appreciated her forthright approach, coupled with her good sense of humor.

Dawn was a dedicated Rotarian, serving both the Branchville and Newton Rotary clubs. She was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation, and worked both clubs’ concession stands at the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show for many years. Glen, a member of the Newton Rotary, said “Dawn never shirked a task and she kept you ‘on task.’ She was a leader among men, thankful in all weather, and someone who would be there for whatever you needed.” Described by others as a “dynamo” at organizing and coordinating, she helped out broadly: vendor coordinator for the German Christmas Market, member of the SCARC Board, volunteer at Project Self Sufficiency and for SCCC’s Learning at College Experience Program, longtime member of the Sussex County United Way, including Chair, active member and Chair of the Honey Open Invitational Golf outing, and volunteer for the American Cancer Society. One of Dawn’s favorite volunteer experiences was traveling to Haiti in 2013 with Hands of Mary for Haiti, where she provided healthcare to Haitians in need. In 2022, Dawn was honored with the Boy Scouts of America’s Sussex County Tribute to Women award.

Dawn was revered for her quick wit, sass, and “task-master” abilities, as well as her ability to mentor women business owners and train them to see the impact they could have in Sussex County for a lifetime. Terri Trapp, another civic leader in our community, described Dawn beautifully: “ Dawn was dedicated to making this county and community so much stronger, creating a wonderful place to live, work, and thrive. I am one of many who spent the last three decades learning from her.”

Rotarian Glen’s last comment to me was, “Dawn may not be here today, but she is not far away.” Thank you, Dawn, for standing by our side and continuing to lead by example.