Obituary of Jean Hawkins

Jean Hawkins, age 78, passed away peacefully at her home in Twillingate, Newfoundland on the morning of Monday, December 9, 2024. Jean struggled for many years with serious mobility issues which resulted in other health complications. Jean's fortitude and resilience was evident throughout her life. She persevered through multiple surgeries, long recoveries and extended hospital stays, never allowing adversity to break her warrior spirit. Jean’s deep love for animals was one of her defining traits. She cherished feeding her birds, a tradition she upheld to the very end, even when physical limitations made it difficult. "Have you fed my birds yet?" became a phrase that will forever remind those who knew her of her steadfast nature. She had numerous dogs of her own over the years who were spoiled just as much, if not more, than her two sons. She also enjoyed visits from other cats and dogs, always ready with treats for her four-legged guests. Jean welcomed all visitors, no matter the time or length of stay, her door was literally always open. Born on July 16, 1946, in Crow Head, on the island of Twillingate, Jean spent much of her life in Oakville, Ontario. There, she raised her two sons, worked as a pharmacy assistant and later managed several retail pharmacies in the Greater Toronto Area. Jean loved her Newfoundland heritage and the enormous family from Crow Head with whom she grew up. Her final wish was to pass peacefully at home, where she could still see the harbour and watch her birds. This was only made possible by efforts of the personal care workers from Notre Dame Compassionate Care, the nursing staff of Twillingate Hospital and her youngest sister and closest friend Shirley. A very special thank you to Valerie Hopkins and Jane Bath for all their kindness and patience over the past several years but mostly during her final days. Jean was predeceased by her parents Arthur and Delilah (Barnes) Hamlyn, brothers, Eddie, Albert, Harry, Waldo, Frank, and her beloved sister Marie Young. She is survived by her two sons Steven "Steve" Hawkins (Susan) and William "Bill" Hawkins (Jennifer), her five grandsons Douglas (Amanda), Ryan (Devyn), Timothy, Jack and Luke as well as her brothers Wilson and Johnny and sisters, Ruth Burton, May Young and Shirley LeClerc. To honor Jean's wishes, she has been cremated and family will host a celebration of life in Twillingate in July, 2025, when she would have celebrated her 79th birthday. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her honour to a wildlife or bird sanctuary of choice, a cause that was dear to Jean's heart.