Obituary of Jean E. Hawkins

Jean Melie Hawkins, 85, of Rome, went home to be with the Lord on Nov 11, 2015 at the Cottages at Garden Grove Nursing Home, Cicero NY, after a long illness. She was born on July 4, 1930, in Rome, daughter of Frank S. and Elizabeth (Bove) Melie. She was educated in Rome schools and graduated from Amsterdam (NY) School of Nursing. She was employed as a registered nurse at Rome Hospital and then dedicated her professional career to Stonehedge Nursing Home for over 40 years. On Jun 28, 1952, she was united in marriage to Norman B. Hawkins at St Peter's Church for 43 years until his passing in 1995. Jean's family feels very fortunate to have had a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her life was fulfilled by caring for friends, neighbors and family, particularly during sickness and times of grief. She was a member of St. Paul's Church and the Red Hat's Society. She enjoyed bowling, golf, card playing and traveling and will be forever remembered by all who knew her. Along with her husband, she was predeceased by her parents, sister Marie and brother Frank Melie. She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law: Norma Jean (and William) Garry, Youngsville NC; Darlene (and Dan) Arena, Baldwinsville NY; Wendy (and David) Ferrara, Mt Arlington NJ; eight grandsons: Keith (and Jenny), Neil (and Kim) and Matthew Garry; Douglas (and Ruth), David and Dustin Arena; and David and Andrew Ferrara; nine great-grandchildren: Alyssa and Jacob Garry; Nathanael, Emma, Sophia and Owen Garry, and Paloma, Clifford and Stella Arena; and niece Renee Downs and nephew Danny Melie. Friends and relatives are invited to visitation at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut St on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Church (Rome) with interment at St Peter's Cemetery (Rome). The family would like to thank the staff at The Cottages at Garden Grove Nursing Home, Cicero NY, especially those in Cottage 8777 for all of their loving and compassionate care. In honor of Jean, donations can be provided to the Therapeutic Recreation Dep t, attention: (Michael Loughlin) at the Cottages at Garden Grove,5420 Meltzer Court, Cicero NY 13039, The Alzheimer's Association of CNY, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St, Syracuse NY 13204, or a charity of your choice