Jessie M. [Tilton] Hawes, 98, born June 19, 1912 at 6 Franklin Street in South Dartmouth where she lived for most of her life, died Sunday, September 19, 2010 in West Stewartstown, N.H. after a 10 year decline from Alzheimer ’s disease. She was married for 54 years to her high school sweetheart, Harold E. Hawes, who predeceased her.
Jessie was the daughter of the late Rebecca [St. Cyr] and Albert Tilton, and the sister of the late Gladys Smith, Albert and Walden Tilton. She graduated from Dartmouth High School in 1929. Jessie lived in her family’s homestead until she married. She and Harold moved briefly to other parts of Dartmouth when they started their family with their sons, Douglas and David. Jessie and Harold returned to 6 Franklin Street after their daughter, Nancy, was born.
Jessie was very devoted to her husband. She saw him through his loss of vision at an early age, and helped him regain his independence. She lovingly cared for him at the end of his life through his battle with cancer. Jessie was a dedicated and loving mother, and remained at her family home until the age of 90 when she relocated with her son, David and his wife Robin to New Hampshire.
Jessie worked at the Yankee Trader in Padanaram for many years, and for 12 years in the book department at Saltmarsh’s in New Bedford until her retirement.
Jessie loved her family, needlework, bird watching, gardening, reading and walking the streets of her beloved Village and, she never met a piece of pie with ice cream she didn’t love!
She is survived by her son, Douglas Hawes and his wife, Cynthia, of Plano, Texas, and his children, Sharon, Lori, Diane, and Jeffery; her son, David Hawes and his wife, Robin, of Colebrook, New Hampshire, and his children, Brett, Susan, Amy, and Kendra; and her daughter, Nancy Brownhill, of Dartmouth, Mass., and her children, David, Leigh, and Jason. Jessie had 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and 10 nieces and nephews.
Jessie was a member of the South Dartmouth Congregational Church where a Memorial Service will be held, on October 1, 2010 at 11:00 am
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name are welcomed at the Joslin Clinic, One Joslin Place Boston, MA or online at www.joslin.org