Mary E. Hawkins

Mary E. Hawkins, 77, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2018 at Bridge Hospice Care Center in Findlay. Born in Woodstock, Illinois on September 19, 1940, Mary was the daughter of the late Thomas George Klabough and Mary Margaret McCalla. Mary met the love of her life, Jerry Hawkins, at a movie theater in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. On July 11, 1958, Jerry and Mary were married. Jerry survives. In their close to 60 years of marriage, Mary and Jerry had three children: son Barry Hawkins (Sharon) of Granger, Indiana, and daughters Bethany Powell (Chris), and Meredith Pitt (Patrick), both of Findlay. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Stephanie Hawkins Wolfe, Amanda Meikle, and McCayla, Evan, and Jenna Pitt. Mary was also blessed to have eight great-grandchildren. Mary is also survived by her half-sister, Leslie Ropas, who lives in Schaumburg, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her sister, Kathy Lott. At Mt. Vernon High School, Mary was a member of the National Honor Society, the Future Homemakers of America, and the senior class play. As if by fate, she was a member of the Future Teachers of America and it came as no surprise that Mary worked steadfastly and obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and Library Science from Bowling Green State University. After graduation, Mary began her teaching career at Vanlue Local School. Not only was Mary a high school English teacher and high school librarian, she served as advisor for a number of classes, was a quiz bowl coordinator, and was responsible for introducing the Mock Trial program to the school. Mary also loved to travel with her students, taking a number of them on trips to London, England, Chicago, and Toronto. It was Mary's passion to introduce her students to experiences within the arts, travel, and theater. After Mary retired from teaching at Vanlue, she continued to work in the field of education at the communications lab at Ohio Northern University. An active member of many organizations in Findlay, Mary spent her early years as a Jaycette, a Sunday school teacher at First Lutheran Church, and a volunteer for Blanchard Valley Auxiliary. Most recently, Mary was a volunteer for the Mazza Art Museum Gift Shop and she helped out many summers in the Mazza art camps. Friends and family may visit on Thursday, May 10, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at HUFFORD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Manor Hill Rd, Findlay (419-422-1500). A private celebration of life service will follow at a later time. Memorial contributions in Mary's honor may be made to Black Swamp Bird Observatory, 13551 OH-2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 or Mazza Museum, 1000 N. Main St., Findlay, Ohio 45840 or First Lutheran Church, 109 E. Lincoln St., Findlay, Ohio 45840. "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." And that is what Mary has always been: a great teacher who was an inspiration to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.