ENCINITAS
–
A couple of weeks ago, Theresa Dawson's grandmother called from her home in the Philippines to say she would try to attend her granddaughter's wedding in San Diego in October.
It would be her first visit to the United States.
Those plans evaporated when Dawson, who lives in Encinitas, learned last week that her grandmother, Teresa Sanchez, was on the ferry that capsized June 21 when Typhoon Fengshen hit the archipelago. More than 800 people were aboard; most died.
Dawson is still waiting for word that her grandmother's body has been recovered. She and her mother, Carlota Dawson, who also lives in Encinitas, plan to fly to Manila next week for funeral services.
“I've just been in a daze,” Theresa Dawson said. “It's hard to believe something like that happens to begin with. Then to find out I have a family member out there . . . ”
A stranger, having learned about the tragedy and the Dawson family's financial struggles, offered to buy two plane tickets for mother and daughter to fly to the Philippines.
The Dawsons are still trying to raise money to cover burial and other expenses. Carlota Dawson is on disability because of health problems, and has been in and out of surgery.
Theresa Dawson's father, Michael “Mick” Dawson, died last year after suffering a massive pulmonary embolism at his La Costa home. He was a well-respected youth soccer administrator in Southern California and was instrumental in developing the annual Surf Cup competitions in North County.
Theresa Dawson said she had hoped to have her father and grandmother at her wedding, which will be held at Shelter Island.
“I am not going to have my dad. That's hard enough,” she said. “(My grandmother) was going to be there. She's not. It's just another really sad moment.”
Carlota Dawson got a call Sunday morning from the Philippines, telling her that her mother had been on the capsized ferry. Sanchez had taken the ferry home after a trip to Manila to visit one of her daughters.
In her last phone conversation with her mother, Carlota Dawson had urged Sanchez not to go on the ferry because of the weather and Sanchez's age and ill health.
Carlota Dawson described Sanchez, a mother of nine, as a very strong woman. “She always carried herself with class, even if she was poor,” she said through tears.
To the man who donated the money for the plane tickets, she said: “I am very, very thankful. It's like a miracle.”
Anyone wanting information or to help the family can call Theresa Dawson at (760) 815-7292 or e-mail her at teesa@d2pinc.com.
Helen Gao: (619) 718-5181; helen.gao@uniontrib.com
