Edith Lorette Hawkins
After a brief illness, Edith Lorette Hawkins died in the ICU at AVH, Friday afternoon, May 14, 2010.
Edith lived her entire 91 years in Berlin. She was born in the kitchen of her family home at 44 Mason St.on March 17, 1919, the first of three children born to Joseph Pierre Chouinard of Laprarie, P.Q and Georgiana Fleury of Berlin. Edith’s birth home was also the location of the first electrical appliance store at 44 Mason St. in Berlin. From the time of her mother’s untimely death when Edith was 7yrs old and until the death of her father in 1932, Edith was responsible for the care of her younger sister and brother.
Edith attended primary school at St Regis in Berlin and The Sisters of Presentation at Norton Mills. From 1932 to 1938, Edith attended The Ave Maria Academy in Sabatus Me. where she received a classical French education from Dominican French nuns, who took a special interest in and cultivated Edith’s innate artistic talents. Edith continued to develop her artistic talents throughout her life. She attended Riviere College for one year in 1939 and in that same year met Howard J. Hawkins of Berlin. They were married on September 14, 1940 and bought a new home where they raised their family and lived together for over 66 years. Edith continued to live in the family home until the time of her death. Edith and Howard had two daughters, Gail Ann Horton who resides in New York City and Cynthia Joyce Roussel who lives in Paris France.
Edith and her husband Howard shared a lifelong concern for the welfare of others. Together, they held fast to deeply rooted humane values, a profound respect for all individuals and support for a free thinking democratic society. They were truly generous with their energy and resources and genuinely hospitable towards anyone who stepped over the threshold into their home. In the prime of her life, Edith was very active in school and civic affairs as well as in the Methodist Church community. She was very active in her support of several Presidential candidates by providing housing and hospitality for the volunteers.
Edith was a true artist. The wonderful world of colors and flowers inspired her many watercolor paintings and pastel drawings. Her essential being, was a colorful blend of exuberant curiosity and loving generosity. Her joyous capacity to imagine and invent coupled with her open inquisitive spirit, has left an indelible impression on all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. She devoted a life time of extraordinary talent to her friends, family and to her activities in the community. Anyone who crossed her path will never forget her.
There will be no formal memorial service. Anyone wishing to pay respects may do so at the Bryant Funeral Home website; www.bryantfuneralhome.net Anyone wishing to donate in Edith’s memory may donate to: Doctors Without Borders or Heifer.org