Reine Dawe’s early life began in the small town of St-Prosper, just south of Quebec City. She later graduated from Laval University’s physiotherapy program and entered a profession she enjoyed immensely until her retirement in 2013.
As the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother, Mrs. Dawe laid a wreath at the National War Memorial on 11 November 2019 on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or a daughter in the military either in action or in the course of his/her normal duty.
She lost her son, Captain Matthew Jonathan Dawe, on July 4, 2007, while he served in Afghanistan.
It was during her physiotherapy studies that she first met her husband Peter Dawe, now a retired Lieutenant-Colonel who served close to 35 years in the Army. Reine became part of her husband’s wider military family. She also pursued professional continuing education and worked in a series of medical facilities often in military hospitals and clinics.
She and her husband raised four active boys. The Dawe boys were involved in everything from sports to music, and all four went on to follow their father’s example by joining the military. Philip, James and Matthew graduated from The Royal Military College. The eldest, Peter, did not attend the College but later obtained two Master’s degrees from the same institution. Peter is now a Major-General and Commander of the Canadian Special Operations Forces. Philip is a trauma surgeon at the Vancouver General Hospital and a Major in charge of the Canadian Forces Trauma Centre in that city. James retired as a Captain in the PPCLI after serving five years, including a tour in Bosnia. He now lives in Kingston, Ontario, and is Vice President North Atlantic of an American workplace supply company. Matthew, the youngest, was posted to 3PPCLI and served in Afghanistan where he died performing his duties as a platoon Commander.
As a volunteer with organizations such as Canadians for Women in Afghanistan and The Kingston Symphony Association, Reine focuses her time on issues that personally resonate with her.