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!
To my good friend Dr. Sue Dawson, I thank you for your selfless giving of yourself to your many nursing students that you have had over the years. You have advanced the nursing profession in so many ways. I appreciate that you gave me your time, knowledge, and friendship. Because of you, I am who I am today. Thank you and I love you. I look forward to the day we will meet again.
I am so deeply saddened to hear of her passing. She was my doctor for many years and was there for me through so many chapters of my life. The good, the difficult, and everything in between. Most recently, she supported me while someone I love has been battling stage 4 cancer. Her kindness, compassion, and genuine care meant more to me than I could ever fully express. She wasn’t just an incredible doctor, she was a comforting and trusted presence in my life. I will miss her dearly and will always be grateful for the care she gave me. My deepest condolences go out to her family, friends, colleagues, and everyone whose life she touched.
This hurts. For the past 6.5 years, Dr. Dawson was a brilliant, deeply empathetic provider and guide through some of the biggest moments of my life. Her unmatched kindness made me feel like I could conquer the impossible – and because of her, I did. On a soul level, she was a truly special and gifted person.
Her obituary perfectly captures her spirit. Dr. Dawson, always found a way to teach me something whilst providing exceptional care. I totally loved her approach & style. She truly did tailor her care to the individual, and she is the reason I felt so profoundly supported and seen in my healthcare journey. I cannot put into words how much I adored and respected her. She set the standard of care so high. She will be deeply missed by the countless lives she touched.
Deepest condolences to family and friends.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your service, Dr. Dawson. You changed my life forever, and you will always be remembered.
Some people journey through life leaving footprints wherever they go. Footprints of love, kindness, knowledge, courage, compassion. We did life together as best friends for several years and we shared our faith and prayed together a lot. She was a unique woman. She had an abundance of knowledge and could have the answer to most issues in life. She loved her family, faith in God, her students and her patients. She had a heart of compassion for everyone. Patients came from everywhere, because Dr. Sue always knew the treatment and encouragement that they needed.
I will always have a special place in my heart for her and I will truly miss her, but my hope through Jesus Christ, who has given us eternal life, I will see her again in heaven.
My sympathy to the family and to those who knew her. You are all in my prayers that God will heal your hearts and give you his peace.
I met Susan in 1991. Her and my Dad were early in their dating at that time. They were like love-lorn teenagers, but smarter, with better jobs. From the outside they didn’t seem like much of a match, but a closer look would’ve shown two professionals that were passionate about learning, family, and faith. Her long term stability and focus helped my Dad stabilize his relationships with me and my brother Paul Dawson. They were both married before, but they both stood on the fact that they finally found their soulmates with each other. Through her, my family expanded, to include my sisters, Jill and Jessica. My Dad left us in 2006, and Susan never married, or even dated again. Claiming that no one would could match up with Dad. Bound only by her devotion to her family and her faith, she continued to be a regular force in the lives of me, my brother, and our children. She could’ve sailed off into the sunset and never looked back. She chose the road traveled by very few, a road filled with giving, selfless actions, and charity. The quickness that this has all happened, is only slightly less jarring than a tragic accident. Susan was secure in her faith, and was at peace with her life, and her afterlife. Although I struggle with my own understanding of faith, seeing her level of peace at the end really has me examining everything. One last gift from someone that gave more than she received. Thank you Susie. We love you.