Dawn Evelyn Ide Cottrell passed away, Wednesday evening, August 30, 2017, in her home in Manlius, NY. Born in Syracuse, NY on September 5, 1922, Dawn was one of two children of Chauncey M. Ide and Isabel Grace Gorman. She graduated from Syracuse Central High School at age 16 and from Powelson Business Institute. She attended 1 year at Syracuse University, working towards a teaching degree.

She married Jack W. Cottrell in Syracuse, NY on September 25, 1941. They spent 70 years of marriage together until Jack’s death in December 2012. She was an integral part of Cottrell Land Surveyors P.C. as the business manager for over 75 years. Those who talked with her were always impressed by her depth of knowledge of the communities in and around Onondaga Country.

She was a Sunday school teacher for the First English Lutheran Church on James Street for 23 years. She was an avid Scrabble and bridge player, and was part of an all ladies’ bridge club for 50 years.

Dawn and Jack not only raised their own children but also fostered over 35 children ranging from newborns to teenagers. She received the 1968 Post Standard Women of Achievement Homemaker Award for those efforts. She used her experiences to volunteer in elementary schools for 30 years as a tutor for young students. She also served as a Literacy Volunteer for adults.

She served on the Fayetteville-Manlius School Board for over 28 years (longest serving school board member in Onondaga County) in various capacities. She is noted on the F-M Wall of Fame in the Senior High School building and she received the 1991 Krentel Award by the State New York School Boards Association for Educational Service. Dawn continued to assist FM schools after she retired from the board, providing information about the buildings as well as the district boundary and attendance lines. For years, she opened up their farm to nursery students, and in 2013, she did several interviews with students as part of the Bicentennial celebration for the Village of Manlius.

Dawn was a charter member of the Manlius Historical Society (MHS) and a trustee since 1998. She served as treasurer and as Buildings and Grounds committee chair. She was a faithful volunteer at the annual Antique Show and Craft Fairs for over 25 years.

Dawn and husband were world travelers and shared their artifacts and travel experiences with students of all ages. They took their children and grandchildren along to exotic, offbeat places in Africa, Australia, New Zealand, China as well as North, South and Central America.

Dawn is predeceased by her husband, Jack and daughter, Diana Sobel-Macik. She is survived by six children, Gary (Rosemary) of Fayetteville, NY; Anita of Manlius, NY; Faith (Thomas) Stephenson of Ottawa, Canada; Florence (David) Grant of Weedsport, NY; Karl (Diana) of Spotsylvania, Virginia, and Laurie of Manlius, NY. She leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Dawn was a dogged, unpretentious, and meticulous woman who gave her boundless energy, time and talents in service to her family, the younger generations, and her community. Her life is a tribute to all those who knew, respected and worked with her.

There will be no calling hours. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Contributions may be made in Dawn’s memory to the Manlius Historical Society, 109 Pleasant Street, Manlius NY 13104 (Website: www.manliushistory.org) or Town of Pompey Historical Society, 8354 US Route 20, Manlius, NY 13104 (Website: www.pompeyhistorical.org).