Dawn Lea Matteson Weaver Melvin

Dawn Lea Matteson Weaver Melvin, known affectionately as Dawn to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2025, in Frankfort, Kentucky. Born on February 12, 1943, in Utica, New York, Dawn’s life was a tapestry of love, creativity, and faith that touched everyone who knew her.
Dawn’s journey began as the cherished daughter of Hugh and Edith Maine Matteson in Utica, where she grew into a woman of strength and character. She completed her education, graduating from high school with a sense of purpose and the skills that would later define her role as a devoted homemaker. Dawn’s life was a testament to the power of love and the importance of family.
She is survived by her husband, John Dean Melvin; four children, Diana “Dee” Weaver (Ruben Turner), Denise Ullery (John), Doug Weaver, and Jonathan Melvin; four grandchildren, Steven Ullery, Chad Ullery, Alyssa Weaver, Caitlyn Weaver and one brother, Bruce Matteson.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Douglas Weaver, and a brother, Richard Matteson.Dawn’s home was an extension of her heart, where the aroma of freshly baked bread mingled with the scent of roses, her favorite flower. Her hands, always busy, created beauty through her porcelain and oil paintings. Each brushstroke was a reflection of her inner grace and her eye for the splendor of life. Knitting needles clicked in her hands as she crafted warmth and comfort for those she loved, often giving her creations to family and friends to show her love and appreciation. Her Bible lay close at hand, a source of daily inspiration and solace.
Those who knew Dawn would describe her as loving and faith-filled, with a creative spirit that could not be contained. She lived her life as a testament to the power of kindness and the importance of cherishing every moment. As Helen Keller once said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart.” Dawn embodied this sentiment, leaving a legacy of love and beauty that will be felt for generations to come.
As we say goodbye to Dawn Lea Matteson Weaver Melvin, we celebrate a life well-lived, a heart well-loved, and a soul that has undoubtedly found its place in the eternal garden of peace. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will continue to inspire us all.
There will be no services. Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Frankfort Regional Medical Center, Attn: Hospice Services, 299 Kings Daughters Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601. The arrangements were entrusted to the Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home, 1120 Main St., Paris, KY.The online guestbook is at www.Lusk-McFarland.com and a 24-hour funeral information line can be reached by calling 859-987-4387.