Dawn Elizabeth Bersani

As the sun rose in the heavens the morning of August 23, 2025, so, too, did Dawn (“Dawnie”) Elizabeth (Withee) Bersani, 73, of Madison, Maine. She passed away peacefully at Redington-Fairview General Hospital following a sudden diagnosis of brain cancer in June. She met the illness with fierce determination, though her fight was short-lived due to health complications.

She was born in Skowhegan, Maine, on August 10, 1952, to Elizabeth and Donald Withee. Dawn graduated from Madison Memorial High School (1971), where she commanded attention as Drum Majorette. Dawn worked for more than three decades at Dartmouth Hitchcock in Nashua, NH. To patients and colleagues alike, she was known for her kindness, humor and inviting nature. With retirement, Dawn returned home to Madison, Maine. Across her lifetime she served her community, having been an active member of Rainbow, Order of the Eastern Star, and her church.

She was someone who always “showed up”–quick to volunteer her time, house-sit, and often supported friends and loved ones in their final moments. She delighted in doing laundry, watching Hallmark movies, reviving cast-off houseplants and window shopping. Her warmth and wit will live on through her unforgettable “Dawnie-isms”: shoot-a-pickle, awesome-blossom, and her frequent use of emojis.

Dawn’s greatest pride was her family: children, Jason Withee Bersani (wife Heidi Lynne Strassberg-Bersani) and Dr. Bianca Elizabeth Bersani (husband Nathan Kyle Redmann); and her grandchildren, Morgan Arwen Strassberg-Bersani, Eloise (Ellie) Elizabeth Redmann, Isaac Ames Redmann and Lucas Kyle Redmann. Dawn’s spirit also lives on in her sister Midge (Luciann) Pomelow (husband Tim Pomelow), and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank friends and family near and far who shared their love and support with Dawn. Family and friends are invited to a visitation and Eastern Star Ceremony, Saturday August 30, 2025, 4-7pm at Giberson’s Funeral Home, 40 Maple St., Madison, Maine. All are welcome to her celebration of life, which will take place at the Federated Church in Skowhegan, Maine, on August 31, 2025, 12:30pm, followed by a reception. The burial is private to the family.

In lieu of flowers, Dawn asked that donations be sent to Glioblastoma Research Organization: https://www.gbmresearch.org/