Dawn E. Hall

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Dawn Elayne Hall entered into eternal rest on Friday, the 14th of October 2022 in the comfort of her Brownsville residence surrounded by her family and friends. She was seventy-four years of age.

Dawn was born on July 3, 1948, in Mountain Home, Idaho. Dawn earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree from The University of Idaho in 1970 and 1972, respectively.

After receiving her degrees from Idaho and marrying her husband Michael Stanley, they moved to Edmonds, Washington to start their adventure. Wanting to challenge herself, she went into medical sales at Johnson & Johnson and Medtronic as a pacemaker specialist. This took her all over the Pacific Northwest helping the critically ill patients improve their lives. Finally, the call of motherhood was upon her and she delivered her son, Jay.

With the demanding schedule of medical sales and her family, she and Michael with an entrepreneurial spirit started a small business Stanley and Associates growing this into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. This was very successful for years, but Dawn felt that there as deeper calling in life.

After working in the corporate sector for several years, Dawn was ready for a new challenge. She set her sights on South Texas determined to make a difference in the community and the lives of children. This move invigorated her spiritually, mentally, and physically. Dawn began her career in education in 1995 at Lopez High School in Brownsville as an English teacher. Earning a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Ms. Hall continued to serve Brownsville Independent School District for over twenty-seven years before retiring in 2021. Her responsibilities included Principal of Lopez High School, Brownsville Learning Academy, Brownsville Early College High School, and Lincoln Park. She also served Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District for five years as Principal at both Resaca Middle School and Los Fresnos High School.

Dawn advocated for children through action as an educator. She promoted in her students the ability to strive for success and always supported their efforts to do just that. Dawn had a listening ear, a generous heart, and a driving force that allowed her to serve her students without question in any way that was needed.

As the Principal of her campuses, Ms. Hall fought to include or improve programs that benefited her students. Her efforts in leading the campuses proved to be with merit as her schools were recognized for achievement in academics and in advocacy.

Her legacy is acknowledged in the successes attained by her students who serve the community in several capacities.

Dawn Hall also served as mentor to so many in the educational profession. She encouraged those around her to pursue personal and professional growth. Many students, teachers, and administrators have become respected educators now serving as teachers and principals.

Her legacy, again, acknowledged in the successes of these many individuals who have followed in her leadership footsteps.

Dawn Hall has served her community, as well, as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Alongside her mother, Adeline May Brown Defenbach, for many years, she recognized high students through scholarship. She supported many charitable organizations, never seeking recognition for her involvement, encouraging and inspiring others to do the same.

Her legacy, in her beloved City of Brownsville, will always be present.

Dawn enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. She celebrated every moment she could with her friends. Traveling to Las Vegas and taking cruises were highlights and she enjoyed simple meals and a movie with popcorn. Dawn, often the life of the party, participated in social groups and events as often as she could. Her laughter, her joy, her spirit was contagious. Those who have richly gained from her company, her friends, will certainly hold these memories so dearly, so fondly.

Her legacy is present in those she has touched personally, each carrying a little of her in their everyday life.

Dawn’s role as mother has been her most valuable and most cherished. She instilled in her son, Jay, the tenacity to pursue and achieve all his goals. She promoted the value of responsibility. She encouraged the highest of expectations. She modeled to be passionate for the profession of choice. She showed, in all her actions, the love, without condition, of a parent. She held her son closest to her heart, providing the best life she could give him. And she lived the best life she could, with him in mind.

Her legacy will carry on in him and through her grandchildren for generations to come.

Preceding Dawn in death was her mother, Adeline May Brown Defenbach; and her stepfather, James Defenbach.

Survivors include her son, Dr. Jay Michael Stanley and daughter-in-law, Katie; her two grandchildren, Zachary and Sarah; and her longtime beloved friends Javier Garza, Petra Torres, and Cindy Sipes.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, the 18th of October 2022 between the hours of five o’clock in the afternoon and eight o’clock at night, with a Celebration of Life Service to begin at six o’clock Tuesday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. This service will be livestreamed and recorded for viewing. This video may be accessed by clicking here.

Memories of Ms. Hall may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.