Dawn Leary, 65, of Hamden, wife of the late Michael Leary, passed away on July 11, 2016 at Vitas Hospice in St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury. She was born in New Haven on November 24, 1950 to Arthur and Shirley O'Brien Sutherland. She is survived by her son, Sean Leary and his wife Korinne, mother, Shirley Sutherland, sisters; Joy Wildman and her husband Karl, and Wendy Arcano and her husband Richard, nieces and nephews; Kelsea, Alexa, Reagan Wildman, Brooke Coniglio and Richard Arcano. She also leaves many more nieces and nephews, her dear friend Lynn Gabbard, and a baby granddaughter to be born in the fall. After graduating from Hamden High School in 1968, Dawn attended what was then Quinnipiac College where she attained an Associate's Degree. She proceeded to work as a legal secretary for several law firms in the New Haven area. Dawn also worked for Yale University Athletic Department for over 20 years as an Administrative Assistant. In her free time she took part in the Girls Friendly Society, Girl Scouts, and teaching Sunday school at Grace & St. Peter's Church in Hamden. Dawn also enjoyed tailgating at Yale Athletic games, cooking, traveling, shopping in New Hampshire, making jewelry, and decorating for the different seasons and holidays. Above all else she was a loving and supportive daughter, mother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be sorely missed. Friends are invited to visit with Dawn's family on Saturday July 16, 2016 from 1-4pm at BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Her funeral service will take place in the funeral home at 4pm, Rev. Rowena Kemp officiating. Donations in her name may be made to Vitas Community Connection, 199 Park Rd. Ext. Suite 102 Middlebury, CT 06762 or www.vitascommunityconnection.org.