Dawn McCants 

Dawn A. McCants, 67, beloved Wife, Mother, and Grandmother was called to her eternal resting place on December 24, 2024. She entered this world on June 1, 1957, in Albuquerque, NM, born to Paul and Juanita Klineline.

The youngest sister by 9 years to Karen Masters, grew up in Albuquerque, NM in the current Montgomery Park area. Dawn and her best friend, Denise (Then Platteborze) Hipp grew up together and would hang out at the Albuquerque Color Lab that was owned by her friend’s parents, but has long since closed down. She enjoyed experimenting with picture taking, developing film and playing with the cats that were often there. She went to Del Norte High School where she graduated in 1975.

Dawn met her now husband, Jay McCants in 1973 at the Dairy Queen where she first started working. They met through mutual friends, became fast friends themselves and started dating soon after. They got married in the summer of 1975 on July 4th, and now all of America celebrates with them. She became a mother to a little baby girl in February of 1989. On the 6th Valerie McCants was added to the family.

Dawn held many positions and titles over the years at the places she was employed. She worked at Dairy Queen, Albuquerque Color Lab, Spectrum Photos, Albuquerque National Bank that changed to Sunwest, Boatman’s, and then finally became Bank of America. After her position moved out of New Mexico, she changed career paths and entered the medical field as an Administrative Assistant for various companies. She worked at Lovelace, Presbyterian, and finally retired at Innovage in November of 2023.

Dawn could often be seen sitting reading a book or catching up on her Star Trek type show. She loved being with her family and grandkids and would often try to plan outings with them. She loved the British Isles and Celtic anthropology. She made it to the main island of England, Scotland, and Wales back in 2007, but dreamed of going again and adding Ireland. She was blessed to have one final trip out there where her and her husband were able to enjoy England, Scotland AND Ireland! She finally got her pint of Guinness from its homeland in Dublin, Ireland where it was, “Sooo much better.”

She is survived by her husband, James McCants; sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Bill Masters; daughter, Valerie McCants; son-in-law, Gerardo Acevedo; two grandchildren, Adrián and Liana Acevedo; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025, 11:00 a.m., at University Heights United Methodist Church, 2210 Silver Ave. SE. The procession will then move to Sunset Memorial Park where she will be laid to rest.