Dawn Horstmann

Dawn Louise Horstmann of Charlestown, RI, died on September 19, 2022, at South County Hospital in Wakefield, RI, at the age of 84, surrounded by her loving family. Beloved wife and soulmate of the late Richard E. Horstmann. Devoted mother of Peter Horstmann (Kari) of Newton, MA, and Todd Horstmann (Tad) of York, PA. Cherished grandmother of Bimini, Marielle, and Roger Horstmann. Beloved cousin & friend of Nancy Salvati (Joseph) and treasured sister-in-law to Judith Schiller (Steve). Cherished and special aunt to her nieces Holly (Gallet) and Andrea (O’Meara), and her nephew Matthew Schiller.

Dawn was born on February 14, 1938, in Haverstraw, New York, as the only child of the Mayor of Haverstraw Charles Durand Engle and Louise Engle (Wach). Dawn commuted into New York City to attend and graduate from the Katharine Gibbs School. Thereafter, Dawn enjoyed a career in publishing, working as an editorial assistant at McGraw Hill and later at Stein and Day. She also enjoyed working at the Wiltwyck School and as the Executive Assistant to the President of Peoples’ Westchester Bank.

Dawn and Richard were introduced to each other through his sister Judy and were married for nearly 60 years. They raised a family in Peekskill, NY and retired to Charlestown, RI, in 2002, to be near the ocean, which they both dearly loved. They were committed members of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, where Dawn engaged in many volunteer activities with her church family, including summer beach camp with all three grandchildren.

A celebration of Dawn’s life will be held Monday October 10, 2022, at 11:00 AM at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Charlestown, RI.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Andrew’s Food Pantry and/or the Frosty Drew Nature Center in Charlestown, RI and/or search out opportunities each day for unexpected acts of kindness or generosity.