Dr. Sue Dawson, 76 passed from this earth on August 25, 2026. Sue was a passionate Christian and a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She loved caring, and tailored her care to the needs of each one individually. Her greatest joy was helping them achieve their best outcomes and become whole again. In addition to the dedicated practitioner that she was, she was also a brilliant educator, with degrees from Illinois University, Edwardsville, University of Missouri St. Louis, and Vanderbilt University. She was a published author, an officer in national nursing organizations and a state officer in the Advance Practice Nursing Association. She also served on the Federal Intergovernmental Agency Advisory Board on Substance Use. She served over the years as a Professor, a Dean and a Director of Nursing. After her stellar educational career, she turned to clinical practice and focused on holistic nursing. She incorporated her faith in her practice, focusing on substance abuse and underserved populations. She continued to precept students, combining her love for teaching with her love for her clients.
Sue was preceded by her husband, Mark Dawson, her parents, Lester and Natalie Liebmann, and her sister-in-law, Barb Liebmann. She is survived by her brother, Gerry Liebmann, her sister, Barb (Rick) Haynes, her daughters Jessica (Terry) Patton and Jillian (Jeff) Hartsoe; her step sons Matthew (Karen) Dawson, Paul (Rachel) Dawson, and Chad Youmans; and grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, and her many extended family members. She will be missed, but we rejoice with her, that she is in heaven.
Arrangements are through Kutis Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois Rd., Affton, Mo. Visitation will be Sept. 11, 4-8pm; Funeral Sept. 12, 10am. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Samaritans Purse Ministry or Spirit Word Church, Byrnes Mill, MO.
Valued Sue’s professional expertise and clinical oversight of past Saint Louis University SON psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner graduate students when I was coordinator of this program; good and cherished memories forever of this and our conversations.
Dr. Dawson was not only my doctor, but also my friend. Over the years I’ve battled with addiction and mental health, and always struggled finding doctors that knew how to balance the two with compassion and empathy. That was one of the main things that came so naturally to Dr. Dawson, that many doctors unfortunately lack. She had the ability to make u feel heard, I always looked forward to our talks as she would never rush us off of the conversation if we went a little over the appointment time like others in the past, she really wanted to make sure she help you through whatever was going on the best she could going out of her way when she didn’t have to. I’ll always miss long talks with her and her unprecedented sense of humor. The world has a shortage of doctors quite like her anymore, thank u for absolutely everything you helped me accomplish and move on with in my life doc. You can rest now, and like we always said, see u real soon (: Love you Doctor Dawson. Thank you for showing me I could live again.
Dr. Sue Dawson was a profoundly compassionate and dedicated physician to me when I was receiving services through her for mental health. She was a guide to me and a friend. Not only was she willing to do her absolute best to help and support me through my diagnosis’s, but also there to listen to what I was going through and give me the best advice she could to help me overcome. May God bless her and her family and children, and receive my full condolences. One’s like her are rare to come across in this life, and she’ll always stand out as the main physician in my life who made a genuine impact.
It is difficult to find the right words to honor someone who meant so much to me, both personally and professionally.
Our paths crossed in so many meaningful ways. She was once my student, later my supervisor, and ultimately my colleague, and my research and teaching partner. Each role brought a different dimension to our relationship, and each one gave me another reason to admire and respect her. We had the privilege of working together and learning from one another, and sharing the experiences that come with a life dedicated to helping others who were experiencing mental health crisis.
What I will remember most, however, is not the titles or roles we held, but the person she was. She brought her own unique warmth, wisdom, and presence to the people around her. She had a way of making a difference—not only through the work she did, but through the lives she touched and the people she cared for along the way.
I feel incredibly fortunate that our paths crossed
A lot can be said about Mrs.Dawson. She was a beautiful woman inside and out, always had heartwarming conversations with her. She never interrupted me and always listened and CARED! Never did i encounter anyone that helped me HEAL from losing my 3rd baby (my stillborn) she helped me in many ways and let me grief but saw and felt my pain and i am very saddened that she has left us. But at the same time, I believe she is in a much much better place and most importantly she did not suffer and she was so strong that I wish to be just like her one day and touch peoples lives like she did. Amazing woman that helped so many… I have been crying and just at loss for words right now but my condolonces to her family and loved ones. She was more than a Dr. to me she was a mother figure that understood my issues after my stillborn and I will never forget all the advice she has ever given me. May you rest in peace Sue Dawson, I love you!