Sharon Hawkins

Sharon Hawkins, age 72, departed this earth on Jan. 14, 2016 to join her Lord, friends and relatives in the heavenly place.

Sharon was born in Thief River Falls, Minn., to Clarence R & Alice Leona Hanson. She was raised on a farm close to Newfolden, Minn. with her three brothers Gerald, Bruce and Don.

She graduated from the Newfolden public schools and went on to beauty school and then office training before leaving Minnesota in 1969 to work in Seattle.

In 1969, Sharon came to Whidbey Island and met the love of her life. Richard (Dick) and Sharon were married in 1970.

Dick was attending school at Western Washington College in Bellingham and Sharon joined him there. She was exceptional in helping him with his studies and basically earned a college education as a result. Dick and Sharon had two children: Mary born in 1971 and Jennifer in 1973.

Graduation from college resulted in the family moving back to Whidbey Island and living there until 1989. They then moved to Renton and Everett before returning to the island in 2005.

Sharon was the strongest and kindest woman we have ever known. She encountered numerous health issues starting in 1973 which confined her to a wheelchair until the present, except there were long reprieves where we enjoyed RV-ing and especially hanging around the house or enjoying the weather outside on the front porch with family and our loving and faithful poodle named Zoe.

Sharon is survived by her husband Richard and two daughters, Mary and Jennifer Hawkins. There are three grandchildren: Trevor Hawkins of Spokane and Alyshia and Kaylee Speakman who both live on Whidbey Island. She leaves three brothers and their wives: Gerald, Bruce and Donald Hanson and numerous nieces and nephews.

We will miss Sharon with all our heart and look forward to joining her in heaven. There will be no burial or funeral services but her ashes will be interred in the Clinton cemetery and a family and friends celebration of her life will be held in the near future.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in her name.