Dawn Marie Hanley

Dawn Marie Hanley, 58, of Portland, Oregon, sadly left us on March 24th, 2023.

Dawn was born on April 7, 1964 to Donald and Nancy Hanley in Portland, Oregon. She was a loving and devoted wife, daughter, niece, sister, cousin, Auntie, and Grammy D. Dawn’s kind, generous, loyal, compassionate way of life was felt by all who knew her. She loved deeply, and whole heartedly, her wife Marlene and their two dogs, her mother Nancy, her sister Holly and brother-in-law Kevin and their three children Ryan, Jordan and Marisa. She was a fun and vivacious Grammy D to her five granddaughters, and a dedicated stepmom to Kevin, Elizabeth, Kristen, Chris, and Brittany.

Dawn had a long, successful career at UPS. In those 29 years, she started as a part-time loader, became a driver for many years, and finally, obtained her CDL to drive big rigs. During her esteemed UPS career, she made lifelong friendships and connections.

Dawn was a lifelong, accomplished athlete. She played varsity basketball, volleyball and softball all four years of high school, while achieving first-team all -state honors in basketball. She was regularly featured in the newspaper for her athletic accomplishments. As a student, Dawn earned her Associates Degree from Mount Hood Community College in 1984, majoring in Physical Education.

Dawn was an avid sports fan, and was an Oregon Ducks fan through and through, enjoying many games with family and friends. Dawn loved playing and watching golf, and also participated yearly in fantasy football with family. She was a Minnesota Vikings fan, but as a dedicated wife, cheered for her wife’s beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, as well.

In her younger years, she owned a motorcycle and loved riding. While on vacation with her mother in Hawaii, she rented a motorcycle to ride and sightsee. Dawn truly enjoyed barbecuing, and entertaining family and friends. She was very handy with tools, and was creative building and fixing things in her home and others’ homes. Her adventurist spirit was fulfilled spending time exploring the Pacific Northwest with Marlene, and in recent years, she discovered a passion for kayaking and loved being on the water.

We’d like to thank Dr. Cassandra Niemi and her entire oncology team at the Franz Cancer Center for all of the care and compassion that Dawn received.