Mary Catherine Hawkins

Mary Catherine Hawkins

January 13, 1938 - January 7, 2023

Mary Hawkins was born in Chicago on January 13, 1938. She was the second child of Dr. Robert Hawkins and Helen Coyle Hawkins, and a shining light of good humor, intelligence, and warmth.

Mary's parents soon discovered she had a mind of her own. Their approval gave her the confidence to overcome barriers limiting opportunities for women. She had a happy childhood with her siblings Bob, Patty, and Tom. She was a faithful Catholic and drew much comfort in her faith. Mary lived on Chicago's West Side until her family moved to Elmhurst. They had the good fortune to live across street from the Dahm family. The Dahms became life-long friends, and the families remain close. Chuck Dahm became Mary's closest friend.

Mary worked hard and loved her friends, family, parties, and Notre Dame. She read voraciously, loved all things French, and would lend an ear, offer support, and accept people as they are. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcomed and loved.

She graduated from Trinity High School and Rosary College in River Forest. While in college, Mary followed her passion and spent a year studying French at Fribourg University in Switzerland and fell in love with France.

After graduating, Mary became a teacher and earned her Master's in French at the University of Notre Dame. In 1966, with Liddy Nash and Jeannie Kroger, she headed off on a life-long adventure to Washington, DC. There she held a variety of jobs, teaching school, working at a law firm, engaging in such issues as the 26th Amendment, Bobby Kennedy's presidential campaign, human rights, and Indian affairs. In 1976, Mary began her career on Capitol Hill. Her diverse background and intelligence landed her a position as a legislative assistant for Senator, Dennis DeConcini. It changed her life. By 1985, she was named Legislative Director, a job she adored because she learned something every day. She remained grateful to Senator DeConcini for having confidence in her at a time when few women served in similar positions in the Senate.

Mary was a consummate mentor. She helped foster a workplace that was uniquely collegial and the DeConcini Crew continues to get together to celebrate their friendship. After Senator DeConcini retired in 1995, Mary served in the office of Senator Byron Dorgan until 1998. Mary was particularly proud of legislation she drafted that released millions of dollars of agricultural products to food banks across the country, created the WIC nutritional program, provided disaster relief after the massive 1997 flooding of the Red River, and saved the US Botanic Garden.

After retiring, Mary fulfilled a life-long dream by renting a home in Kenmare, Ireland. Afterwards, she continued to put her skills to work, writing grants and speeches, teaching ESL classes, and consulting for federal agencies until she hung up her pen in 2005.

Mary enjoyed a circle of warm, intelligent, fun-loving friends. Her home became known as Chez Hawkins where she welcomed one and all to stay for a few days or years. She considered herself incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many smart, interesting, and loving people.

Mary returned to Chicago often, visiting family and friends, going to Notre Dame football games, and supporting Chuck in his work. Mary loved playing golf in Vermont, DC, and Florida. She had an active social life with book and movie clubs, seeing shows at the Kennedy Center, going to lectures and museums, giving tours of DC, reading every book she could get her hands on, and spending summers in Vermont.

Mary also indulged her love of travel. She gave tours of her beloved Paris, and loved sharing recommendations on where to stay, eat, and visit. She was included in vacations with her sister Patty, Chuck, and his family to destinations such as Budapest, Montana, New Zealand, and Rome.

Mary was pre-deceased by her beloved mother and father, and her brother Bob Hawkins. She is survived by Fr. Chuck Dahm, OP who was by her side when she died; sister Patty Hawkins Williams, brother Tom Hawkins (Beth), her nieces and nephews, Meghan Hawkins (Sean Foy), Bob Williams (Michele), CeeCee Williams Mazelin, Robert Hawkins, Andy Williams (Sue), Jeanne Hawkins Sommer (Dale), Marty Williams, Maura Hawkins Salyer (Glenn), Molly Hawkins Parker (Jason), and Tim Hawkins (Liz), 13 grandnieces and nephews, one great grandniece, as well as members of the Kearney Clan.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown at 10:00am on Saturday, June 10, with a reception to follow. Guests are asked to wear bright colors.

Donations in memory of Mary Hawkins can be made to Domestic Violence Outreach, 1914 S. Ashland, Chicago, IL 60608, www.domesticviolenceoutreach.org