Dawn Marie Topolski Jay

Dawn Marie Topolski Jay, 56, of Effingham, passed away early Sunday morning, March 7, 2021, after a 7-month battle with cancer. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and is survived by her wonderful husband of 20 years, Michael “Mike” Jay; her parents, Diane Langella of Florida and Joseph Topolski of North Carolina; uncle, John Ziza of Michigan, and aunt, Debra Ziza of Michigan. She is also survived by many, many friends, including her best friends, Kym St. Peter, Melissa, John & Paul Demars, Diane & Bob Eldridge, and her Journey Group family, as well as Mark Eldridge, DeAndre Williams, and Randy Benton, who worked for her, but she considered them family. Dawn was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Darlington, SC, the Lott Journey Group, and the owner of Evergreen Services, LLC.She was elected as Commander of the DAV Aux, Florence Unit in early 2020. Dawn was a Christian, and would literally give the shirt off her back to someone who needed it.She often put her own needs aside to help someone else, even a stranger.She loved working and playing outdoors, animals, her FJ Cruiser, her tractor, soft cozy blankets, the color pink, and camo.But if she found something in Pink AND Camo…she was ecstatic and just had to have it!!! Dawn talked on Saturday about how happy she was that she got to spend a little time with Nathan Shumate, a young man from her church who spends his free time working for her business and on her property.Nate, she wanted you to know that you had a very special place in her heart, and she loved you dearly.She always said she wished there were more people in the world like you. Many know Dawn because of her extensive work in dog rescue.A passion of hers since about 1998.So many dogs, including her own, are alive, well, and flourishing today because of her, Mike, and Dawn’s special friend Brittany Grayson and her family.She leaves behind her beloved Beags, Bo Bear, Buddy, Daisy, Dixie, Ellie, Mama, MJ, Munchie, Roscoe, Ruru, Sky, Sparrow, and Trevor. In lieu of flowers, donations to an animal rescue or shelter of your choosing, in her honor, would be deeply appreciated. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 2930 Master's Way, Darlington, SC, off of I-20 at Exit 137.