Obituary
Guest Book
Dawn Therese Brancheau, nee Lo Verde, 40, of St. Cloud, FL, formerly of Cedar Lake, IN, passed away February 24, 2010 doing what she loved. Inspired as a child after seeing a Shamu show, Brancheau knew at an early age that she wanted to perform with the whales. While living her dream, she was a source of inspiration and joy to her family and friends. We are blessed to have been a part of her wonderful life and will forever cherish the memories of her in our hearts, minds, and souls.
Dawn's inherent love for others, for children, and for animals was her life's passion. Her work with whales at Sea World brought her great joy, and her skills as a trainer came naturally. Her love for animals extended beyond work. She volunteered at her local animal shelter and her home was often the refuge for animals, including ducks, roosters, chickens, birds, bunnies, and dogs.
Dawn was a 1987 graduate of Andrean High School in Merrillville, IN. She went on to receive degrees in Psychology and Biology from the University of South Carolina where she was active on the dance team and a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.
After college, Dawn met her husband and best friend, Scott Brancheau, in the cafeteria at Sea World shortly after arriving to pursue her life-long dream. Scott and Dawn were married in 1996 in Chicago. They have been living in St. Cloud with their chocolate labs, Ruger and Maggi, where they created a loving and welcoming home. Their door was always open to family and friends traveling to Orlando.
Dawn was the loving wife of Scott Brancheau, cherished daughter of Marion & the late Charles LoVerde Jr., daughter-in law to John and Terry Brancheau, dear sister of Deborah (Anthony) Frogameni, Charles (Tracy) LoVerde, Darlyne Klages, Diane (Jeffrey) Gross, and Thomas (Mary) LoVerde, sister-in-law to Lou-Ann (Joe) Morrill and Daniel (Lauren) Brancheau, loving aunt of Ali, Anthony, Vincent, Dominic, Mario, Francesca, Gianna, Melissa, Jessica, Jenny, Jonathan, Cole, Reve, Addie, Bethany and the late Nathan, godmother and honorary aunt to many, and a once in a lifetime friend to most..
Dawn had a strong faith in Christ and her fellow man, and possessed the gift of loving well. She was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in St. Cloud where she enjoyed Bible Study and was working to aid an orphanage in Africa.
Dawn was compassionate, loving, and lived her short life to its fullest. With genuine joy and hope in her heart, she made all of our lives better for having known and loved her.
Visitation Sunday 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, 7740 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL. Funeral Mass Monday, 11:00 AM at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, IL
Memorial services will be held in Orlando at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dawn Brancheau Memorial Fund, c/o US Bank,
P.O. Box 809231, Chicago, IL 60680-9231.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
April 26, 2023
Other
Theresa Flores
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
April 15, 2023
Other
Jacqueline G. McRae-Mitchell
Love You Dawn. Even though I never met you and only watched your beautiful performances online I loved you any way for being a talented, healthy, decent Christian woman and a follower of Christ and Keeper and Caretaker of his Beloved Orcas.
March 10, 2023
Other
Jacqueline G. McRae-Mitchell
You will be greatly missed. "Sleep with the Angels."
April 1, 2022
Other
Lucas J. Ammons
She's in heaven doing orca shows for The Trinity and the saints :-)!
September 12, 2020
Mike
You were a Great Steward for God’s creatures. You and Tily swim together again in joy in his heavenly ocean. Love you both. Thanks Dawn. Thanks Tilikum!
September 3, 2020
Acquaintance
danetz laurence france
une belle femme dynamique et qui aimait son job
January 20, 2020
Amanda Harrell
Such a Sweet & Caring person ad she was a great woman and friend to our family...you are missed by many Dawn...RIP Beautiful
October 15, 2019
You're amazing
September 21, 2019
HENRY BRUMMEL
May you rest in peace.
September 20, 2019
Acquaintance
Tia Conroy
Rest in heaven
March 4, 2017
YOU WAS THE BEST SEAWORLD TRAINER! GOD BLESS YOU DAWN! Dominique Michaud (CANADA, QUÉBEC,QUÉBEC CITY)
February 2, 2017
JOHN A. COONEY
GOD BLESS DAWN AND FAMILY.. REST IN PEACE...
July 21, 2016
Valenda Newell
March 31, 2016
Lorena Torres
It is so sad to see these incidents happen...RIP Dawn..Prayers to her family and for Telikum
February 9, 2016
Sherry Gleason
Thinking of you, Dawn.
February 8, 2016
Raynn morrison
Dawn was a well loved person from all around the world.
December 1, 2015
Sonya King
Thinking of you and your beautiful smile and spirit, Dawn. You're greatly missed. God bless and continued prayers to the family.
September 4, 2015
Charlotte Sepulveda
Heavenly Father you have an Angel up there who love animals and whales with a passion. Put her besides Poseidon and she will have him looking at the waters in a whole new light. Bless her husband and family always.
August 15, 2015
Brenda Harbin
June 27, 2015
Emylee Eyler
Dawn is an inspiration to everyone around the world, and we will forever remember her love and devotion.
June 21, 2015
Theresa Taylor
Dawn's life and memory will burn like the flame on this candle, Forever. Her love for Marine Life was her passion, it will reflect lives of Orca's and Hers like the reflection of this candle. Love and Passion for Marine Life lives on thru Dawn from this day on for an eternity. God Bless you Dawn , you are missed by your friends and family. Your Orcas' miss you.
June 14, 2015
so sad
April 10, 2015
Sherri Bunch
I remember seeing you. what an amazing inspiration you were and still are.
December 1, 2014
lindsey Webster
Dawn has inspired me to loveand care for these amazing animals. I hope I can carry on her legacy. It's sad how the good ones go. But she she went by doing something she was passionate about. Also she died with her favorite killer whale. My condolences to her friends and loved ones. After 5 or after 50 I will never forget Dawn.
September 27, 2014
Beverly F
It's unpredictable to know what any animal would do. It's so sad to see those who love and train animal causes them to lose their lives. But one day in Gods kngdom government he will bring animals and humans into harmonious relationship with one another. (Isaiah 11:6-9)
June 12, 2014
Krystyn R
I saw you at sea world when I was a kid. I remember you. You talked to me after the show. I didn't know you had passed until I saw a documentary about you. To your friends and family; I'm so sorry for ur loss.
May 27, 2014
deon massey
R.I.P dawn
March 18, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
March 16, 2014
Sara
Rest peacefully now
February 25, 2014
visited yesterday and just remembered what an awesome trainer, friend, loving person you were. we'll never forget beautiful dawn.
February 24, 2014
Sherry Gleason
In your memory, Dawn
February 24, 2014
Sherry Gleason
Thinking of you and of your friends, family, and coworkers today, Dawn. You are greatly loved and missed.
February 22, 2014
May you rest in peace, Dawn. I would never have the courage to be near those orcas, but you thought of them as children. Bless you and your family.
January 21, 2014
I think of you and yours often, Dawn.
January 19, 2014
And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people; No more will there be heard in her the sound of weeping or a cry of distress.”(Isa 65:19) Wonderful promise and heartfelt prayers go out for all the families and friends.
January 15, 2014
mikayla dunn
rip dawn i have never seen you but your memory is in me allways
-mikayla dunn kansas city mo
January 15, 2014
Henry Brummel
I am glad that Dawn's memory is kept alive through this guest book. May God bless her and her Family.
January 14, 2014
C. B.
Dawn,
You are my hero. I look to you for encourengement to press on toward the goal of working with those precious whales one day. I think of you every day, and, almost four years after your death, I hope you rest in peace, pray for your family, and look forward to seeing you in heaven one day. I still Believe, sister! <3 you!
October 13, 2013
Tina Corder
Dawn, I enjoyed watching you with the whales. You were lucky to live your dream, and bring such joy to others. I will remember you for the joy you brought to others not the tragedy of your leaving us. God bless you Dawn and keep you and your loving friends of family in his loving arms and give you peace.
October 8, 2013
Jordan
God bless you Dawn. Rest in peace! <3
August 26, 2013
Hey everyone I just was thinking about all the video's I saw her in I wish I could have met u I wish we could have a family reunion so I could met everyone one your Second cuz Tina Vitali
August 24, 2013
Christopher Brown
Dawn Brancheau, was a great inspiration to me she loved what she did and we should still to this day celebrate what joy she brought to the visitors and guest of all nations that visited Seaworld her home away from home.
To the Brancheau family: We love you guys and through her life we can see the influence you gave her she just lights up my heart because of the love she had for the animals and her family as well.
August 1, 2013
debby Lawson
We have visited seaward a few times and was always moved by ur beautiful performance. I still get a pang of sadness when I watch the believe video. Such a tragedy god bless u touched millions of hearts
July 6, 2013
Sherry Gleason
I think of Dawn and her family often.
July 2, 2013
Aidan Girard
Dawn , is a great person not was ! because even though she is gone she still continues to help us all she is a great person and i hope to one day meet this wonderful girl ! <3 xo xo
June 16, 2013
kaitlyn
I want to be just like you Dawn!
May 13, 2013
Linda
What a tragedy it is to lose someone so young and so full of life. Dawn will surely be missed. We can all look forward to the day when we see her again on a paradise earth filled with people who, like Dawn know how to treat animals and there will be no fear of the animals or for the animals. Ps.37:11 & 29, Isa. 11:8
March 31, 2013
miss you everyday dawn, your love and the incredible person you were are always here.
March 28, 2013
Michael Erris Sr.
I miss you. What a friend you were and such a beautiful person. I know you went to heaven on the wings of angels.
January 5, 2013
Jose Garcia
You will be missed.
January 2, 2013
Aidan Girard
I believe! Go Dawn!
October 15, 2012
rest in peace
October 3, 2012
Shereen Duclos
Its an honor to know someone like Dawn lived and the great work that she did will remain her legacy.,She was an incredible person and had an abundance of love in her heart. May God keep her in His care and may she dance in Heaven!!!
August 6, 2012
jackie giordano
dawn- you are never forgotten, always honored and i thank you for all the love you radiated, from all of us who never had the honor to know you personally but were overcome with your love for the world and your animals.
August 4, 2012
Sherry Gleason
In Dawn's honor...thinking of you and yours today
August 2, 2012
Shelly Boyle
I didn't know Dawn, but I can see that she was an incredible person. She was kind and loving. She sounds like she was everything that was good in this world. I am so sorry that she is gone. B
July 19, 2012
Pam Olivieri
What an amazing woman. She lived her life to the fullest, doing what she loved. We can all be truly inspired by her. My prayers for her loved ones.
June 17, 2012
Sea world will never be the same without you Dawn, you were an amazing woman and your love lives on in your family, friends and those of us you inspired.
June 17, 2012
Sherry Gleason
Thinking of your family - our daughter was a trainer with Dawn
June 17, 2012
May God bless you and your family.
June 16, 2012
Jon Ferguson
Dear Dawns husbands and family I m Jon Ferguson Enjoy going to sea world we will missed dawn I'm one her fans she was a special lady at sea world I enjoy spend the shows there god bless you Jon Ferguson
June 15, 2012
Jon Ferguson
Dear the brancheau family
My name is Jon Ferguson
I'm so sorry about dawn she will be missed alot by her fans at sea world my prays go out to you I'm one of her fans god bless you Jon Ferguson
February 26, 2012
Joann Nannini
We miss you so much Dawn you will always be in our heart and minds. We feel you at Sea World everytime we go. Rest our Angel.....
February 9, 2012
Leslie
My condolences to Dawn's family. It has been nearly two years...it doesn't feel that long. She was lovely, her death so tragic. May the Lord bring you comfort.
January 13, 2012
Michelle
December 11, 2011
jackie
dawn not a day goes by that don't think of you and wish you were here with us, you will always live in our hearts, your impact was great on so many lives. love you beautiful lady.
October 27, 2011
Gleason family
Still think of you every day, Dawn, here in Plano, TX.
October 26, 2011
Martha Jolly
She was inspiring, wonderful and self oriented with a goal in her life. To assist creatures like Tilikum. I am proud to know she came from the US because she made a bigg change for us and she gave us a new reason to believe in ourselves. She was very interested and excited to work as a trainer for SEAWORLD when she went for her first time when she 11 years old. Well she reached for her dream far enough she accomplished it. Thank you Ms Dawn Brancheau.
<3 Martha Jolly
July 15, 2011
Peyton Braud
My cousin first told me about you and i would like to work in sea world to. i want to work with the dolphins. my cousin jordan and i look up to you and miss you. we wish you could come back and work with tilly. jordan wants to work with the killer whales like you. we love and miss you. you will always be in our hearts.
July 15, 2011
Still missing your beautiful smile!
June 23, 2011
Jordan LeJeune
God wanted an awesome trainer in heaven. A sweet,careful,loving,beautiful,and very INSPIRING person and he defiantly got her! Not a day passes by when i don't think about you. I want to follow in your footsteps! I miss you so much wait for me at the golden gates! i saw you at Sea world before i cant believe your gone! every time i go to Sea world i cry even if it isn't the Orlando one. you have touched so many lives especially mine. TRUST ME! you were just so AMAZING! if only i could rewind and warn you what was coming so this didn't happen to you. I know exactly what i want to do when i get older and when people ask me the answer will be "FOLLOW IN DAWN THERESE BRANCHEAU'S FOOTSTEPS!" and if they ask why my answer will be "BECAUSE SHE MEANS THE WORLD TO ME AND SHE IS SO INSPIRING!" As soon as i heard about your death i knew that it was going to hurt not only me but so many others! Some people blame it on Tilly but I don't because he's a whale! You wouldn't be very happy if you saw all these things people say about him! Dawn i could go on and on about you! I can't get over your death. I will ALWAYS remember you! RIP!!! I LOVE AND MISS YOU!
June 23, 2011
Jordan LeJeune
Roses are red, violets are blue Dawn is in Hevan and oneday we will be too! You were so pretty I saw the pic of you holding the little kitty. You loved the whales. I met you but only once. You inspire me I want to be an orca whale trainer. You knew the risks and took them wow you were brave I hope someday I will be just like you you were really beautiful and I know you are watching the whales from hevan and training Kalina. I just can't believe your gone! There isnt a day that goes by when I dont think about you! I know we will meet again oneday! Please wait for me at the golden gates! I promise I wont be late I will always follow in your footsteps I love you!!
June 23, 2011
jordan lejeune
god wanted a beautiful,amazing,caring,loving,and inspiring woman and he got it! not a day passes by that i dont think about you! when i got to seaworld yesterday i literally cried! i miss you dawn you inspire me its always been my dream to be an orca whale trainer! rip and i love you!
June 23, 2011
Jordan LeJeune
I met Dawn she was SO sweet it was always my dream to be an orca trainer and she is the one who inspires me and told me how to get started! I can't believe shes gone she was such an inspiration! But GOD wanted her and now shes training Kalina in hevan! RIP Dawn I love you!!!!
May 1, 2011
the Gleason family
You're on our minds today, Dawn. Love, peace, and strength to your family, friends, and coworkers who are keeping your legacy alive every single day.
April 10, 2011
the Gleason Family
Our daughter Kristi was a trainer with Dawn, and not a day passes that we don't think of Dawn and of what she means to so many people.
We want you to know that Dawn, her family, friends, and coworkers are still in our prayers, each and every day.
February 26, 2011
It's hard to believe its been one year since the world lost you beautiful Dawn, I pray that GOD will be with your family and everyone who loves you, you touched so many lives with your love- we'll always remember and miss you. Your life was an example to us all , if only we could be more like you and enjoy every moment of this beautiful world, what a place this would be.
February 25, 2011
One year has passed and still our hearts mourn your passing. May peace come to your friends and family. God Bless ~
February 19, 2011
Caroline Cullen
I never had the chance to meet Dawn but was very touched by her death and often think of her and how god had other plans for this angel .
February 19, 2011
Taz Lawrence
It was a true honor to be able to meet Dawn in person, she made me so happy being able to see her doing what she loved. It was very obvious she was enjoying it..her smile gave it away. You truly are special Dawn, you will be loved and missed.
January 28, 2011
Lucas Ammons
I've never met Miss Brancheau, however, I look forward to seeing in heaven.
January 20, 2011
Susan Baird
I have watched some video tributes of Dawn. She is someone special. For those of you who are blessed to have been a big part of Dawn's life, I know you will forever treasure that blessing. She is someone I would have liked to have known. She's a beautiful person with a very contagious smile that I believe you will see again. I am truly sorry for your loss.
December 30, 2010
I wish that i could change what happened that awful rainy day, its still so hard to understand why. You will always be remembered for the amazing miracle you are, a one of a kind angel- we love you.
December 29, 2010
tracie fowler
Dawn,i never met you,but you were an inspiration to all who loves animals. To be able to work with killerwhales,is something not everyone can do. Rest in peace Dawn.
December 23, 2010
Many people known and unknown to you, Dawn, still sense what a great loss it is to have lost you.
Your first Christmas in heaven, rest in peace!
December 22, 2010
Still Missing You Dawn!
December 18, 2010
Miss your spirit at the stadium Dawn, you are forever in our hearts and thoughts. Praying that the Lord will be with Scott and your family during this holiday season.
December 16, 2010
Anne Diehl
I have been to Seaworld on many occasions and have always enjoyed the whale show. I have seen Dawn perform with the whales many, many times. She was amazing with those animals - she truly made it an amazing show. We are planning our next vacation down to Florida and she will be greatly missed from our Seaworld visit. Rest in Peace, Dawn. You were an amazing trainer!
December 10, 2010
Marianne Hernandez
Rest your soul in peace right next to the Lord Dawn, while we remember you and miss you here on Earth, as the happy, lovely and friendly person that you are. God bless your family today and always...
November 23, 2010
Laura Peterson
Dawn's natural ability and gifts as a trainer shine through each performance. No one may ever understand why Tilikum did what he did, but Dawn was truly his best friend and I just can't imagine that he hurt her deliberately. I would imagine that the whales still look for her, even Tilikum. To Scott: May your memories change from painful to happy cherished memories with a great lady. You can hold your head high and know that Dawn made a huge difference and taught millions of people through out her career about these beautiful animals. I know nothing can bring her back, but she will never be comepletely gone as long as we all carry her work and knowledge forward. She was blessed to have a suppporting and loving husband. Know that her love for you will always be around you. I am deeply sorry for your loss and for her family. May time bring you all peace.
November 11, 2010
Gleason family
Thinking of you and yours today, Dawn.
November 7, 2010
Patrick Davis
I miss you Dawn. Rest in piece and swim on!!!!
September 19, 2010
jackie
i will never forget your brilliant smile, amazing talent and love for your whales and everyone who had the honor of meeting you. The happiness that radiated from you is so palatable, we didn't have to know you personally to feel how awesome you were. I pray that GOD is holding you in the palm of his hand.
September 12, 2010
Katelyn Hancock
Every day I think about you.You are a amazing person Dawn.You are my hero and you will alwase be my hero.
September 4, 2010
Patricia groce
The day you passed another mermaid appeared!
August 29, 2010
nikki amadio
I can't belive it's been almost seven months sence dawn died. I'll be coming to seaworld for my birthday in december dawn was awsome trainer and she loved her job doing what she loved to do. Now she's with my mom in haven looking down at us.
August 15, 2010
The Gleasons
In your beautiful memory, Dawn. Thoughts still are and always will be with your family, friends, and coworkers.
August 14, 2010
What a special person you must have been! Rest in peace!
July 21, 2010
Miss ya kiddo!
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