Melissa Daw

On Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, the world lost a luminary; the brilliant and talented Melissa Marie Daw passed on to the eternal world.
Born on March 27, 1929, to Pearl Ruth Taylor and Lawrence Lemuel Gwin, Melissa would enter the world in turbulence – the roof blowing off the house during the night she was born. The storm was so severe her mother had to obtain an affidavit attesting to her birth at home. Once she entered school at Grade 1, district officials wanted to place her in fourth grade due to her advanced aptitude. A compromise was struck and Melissa was placed in third grade. After graduating from Wendell High School at age 16, she studied at Albion, where she met and married Donald Robert Daw. Two children survive from that union, Brian Alan Daw of Las Vegas, Nev., and Melissa Bench of Jerome, Idaho.
Melissa’s prowess as an artist led her to receive many accolades during her life from the School of Art Instruction and Art Illustrators publication. In 1967, Melissa was honored at a dinner featuring the oil painting of then-governor of Nevada, Grant Sawyer. She spent many years in Las Vegas, Nev., and Orlando, Fla., working as a portrait artist. She loved fast cars and fancy dinners. In 1966, she purchased a silver GTO with a 389 with a six-pack-hi-rise manifold. Our only regret is that we were too young to drive.
She cared deeply for those less fortunate and would give her last dollar to help other people. In the 1960s, she volunteered at a home which served mentally handicapped youth and adults. Her fiery independence, while a hallmark, was only a solitary pursuit; she never advocated that others follow her path.
Mother, you will be missed.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in the Jerome LDS 2nd Ward Chapel, 50 E. 100 S. in Jerome. Arrangements are under the care of Farnsworth Mortuary of Jerome.