Dawson built only two classic Howdy Doody marionettes (Howdy and The Inspector John J. Fedoozle) for the famous children's show that began on December 27, 1947. She began by making all the prototypes with green felt hats, plaid shirts, white neckerchief and tan pants, made of cloth brown boots, brown hair and brown eyes. She continued to build the marionettes until the show went off the air in 1960. She was replaced in June 1952 by Rufus and Margo Rose, who complimented Scott Brinkers' puppet making for the show.
Howdy Doody went off the air on September 24, 1960, after 2,343 shows. Dawson was honored by the
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Pacific Southwest Chapter for her 50-year-long career in television. She was an active
benefactor to
College of the Desert in
Palm Desert. Her husband,
Johnny Dawson, was a noted amateur golfer who designed and built several noted golf courses. ==Death==