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Gloria G.(Gigi)(Ryskind) Dawson died on June 8, 2024, in Rancho Mirage, CA. A Colombian by birth and United States citizen by choice, she came to this country as a teenager to pursue her education. A graduate of New York University, she earned a Masters degree in Spanish Literature. Post graduate studies in French followed at Middlebury College and Georgetown University. She chaired the Modern and Classical Language Department in two different terms during her 23 years tenure at Miss Porter's School in Farmington, CT where she taught Spanish and Spanish literature. She initiated and introduced the Advanced Language and Literature programs in Spanish, French and Latin at Miss Porter's. She served as a College Board, ETS Princeton, NJ language and literature consultant for several years. She organized and directed language and cultural study immersion programs abroad during Miss Porter's School Winter Term. The six weeks programs were in France, Spain and Mexico. Prior to joining the Miss Porter's School faculty she taught at the private day Westledge School in Simsbury, CT and was the language department chair. She taught summer school at Central Connecticut State University; evening school in New Britain, CT and the Berlitz School for Languages in White Plains, NY. She was a translator for the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, West Hartford, CT. While living in Plainville, CT where she raised her two daughters, she served on the Library Board of Plainville, CT and was its Chair for 12 years. In the late 1960's she was actively involved in the civil rights movement and started and coordinated a series of seminars and workshops on how to achieve Inter-Racial understanding. She was also on the Board of Directors of The United Way as well as the Girls Scouts in Hartford, CT. She was a charter member of the Plainville Little Theater and major supporter of The Hartford Ballet Co. and The Hartford Stage Co. In 1999 she left Miss Porter's school after twenty two years of service to be married to the late Hank Dawson and relocated to Florida. She has been a resident of Naples since 2000. Since residing in Florida she and her late husband embarked on numerous cruises and trips to Alaska, Hawaii, the Antarctic, the Arctic, Europe, Greenland, Newfoundland, the Mediterranean, Africa, Asia and South America. She was an active and contributing member of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages. The Modern Languages Association and the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Languages. She was also a member of Alpha Mu Gamma, The National Collegiate Foreign Language Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi and Pi Delta Kappa. At Miss Porter's she was the recipient of the Warren S. Hance Teaching Chair in 1992. She was a member of the Vineyards Country Club and the Welcome to Florida International Club, Naples Council on World Affairs and Great Decisions. She was a four time Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. She was also a loyal supporter of Artis-Naples (Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts). She was predeceased by her first husband, Jack Ryskind, and Hank Dawson. She is survived by her two daughters Tanya L. Ryskind, of Harbert, Michigan and Dr. Bonnie Rae,DMD of Rancho Mirage, CA; five grandchildren; a sister in Buenos Aires, Argentina and cousins, nephews and nieces in Colombia and Argentina. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Naples Council on World Affairs Model UN. Memorial services will be held at a future date.

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Gloria G Dawson

January 31, 1934 - June 8, 2024