TRAPPE - Josephine C. Dawson died on Dec. 8, 2012 at the Talbot Hospice House in Easton. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John K. Caulk Jr. of Bozman. Her mother died when she was very young, and so she was raised by two loving aunts, Sallie and Bessie Caulk of Trappe. She married Willard Dawson Jr. of Trappe in 1948 and was widowed in 1969. Jo, as she liked to be called, graduated from Easton High and then Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia in 1947 and received her Masters from the University of Md. She taught in Baltimore Co. for a year and a half before returning to the "Shore where she was a third grade teacher in Easton. She later taught at the elementary school at Hudson in Dorchester Co. Then, after teaching for ten years at Peachblossom in Cambridge, she became a teaching principal at Appleby School there for many years. She had an active retirement devoting her time to managing the family farms, taking art classes and other activities with her sister Chris. In later years, she and her special friend Marty went on many trips together. She loved playing the piano, crafts, nature and crabbing. She was devoted to her family and friends and was a kind and generous person. Jo is survived by a son, James of Trappe; a sister, Edith Higgins of Neavitt; a nephew and niece, Richard Higgins Jr. and Katherine Haddaway of Neavitt; many cousins from Maine to Florida; and her long time companion, Martin Riley of Trappe. As per her wishes, a simple graveside ceremony will be held at Spring Hill Cemetery in Easton on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 at 11a .m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in her memory to the Talbot Hospice Foundation, Inc.; 586 Cynwood Dr.; Easton, Md. 21601 Arrangements are being handled by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 200 S. Harrison St. in Easton. For online tributes, please visit www.fhnfuneralhome.com.