Gwendolyn Rose Hawkins

1936 - 2024

Gwendolyn Rose Hawkins, born Nov. 30, 1936 in New Orleans, LA, died April 12, 2024. She attended All Saints Catholic School, Xavier University Preparatory School (1955), and Xavier University (1959). She worked many years as a medical technologist at the VA Hospital in New Orleans. She also earned her Masters in Social Work at Southern University of New Orleans (1990), serving clients as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker until Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Gwen was devoted to family, visiting often and helping to care for her elders. She loved tending her garden of potted plants for many years. She loved travel, visiting Mexico, Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. She was creative and enjoyed making Christmas season handicrafts. Even in cooking, she put care and attention to detail in preparing and serving even the simplest meal. After Hurricane Katrina, she was instrumental in revitalizing the Gentilly-Voscoville community by starting Neighborhood Watch. City Hall took note of her activity and asked her to serve on several committees. Her spiritual life was important to her, and she prayed often for friends and family, keeping her faith in peaceful times and difficult ones. Gwendolyn joins her son Stephen Norbert Moline; parents Samuel Hawkins and Marie "Mary" Cleo Scovell Hawkins Ruiz; siblings Joseph Ruiz Jr., Stella Ruiz Landry, Francisca Ruiz Rogers, and Gladys Ruiz; Edna Blackwell Lewis and Emile J. Lewis, the great-aunt and cousin who raised her. Gwendolyn is survived by her siblings Juanita Ruiz Steed, Domingo Ruiz Sr., Gayle Ruiz Batiste, Paul Ruiz; children Adrian Paul Moline, Monica Thérese Moline, and Carl Christopher Moline; grandchildren: Kyla Marie Moline, Madysen Noelle Rose Moline, and Alexander Samuel Moline; numerous cousins; friends from her neighborhood and various travels, and members of the Xavier University alumni and Xavier Prep communities. Her Memorial Mass will be at All Saints Catholic Church, 1441 Teche St, New Orleans, LA 70114 on Sat. July 6, 2024. The rosary will be recited at 9:00 a.m. followed by tributes from family and friends, and will conclude with the Mass at 10:00 a.m. The Pastor, Father Fred Kaddu, S.S.J. will officiate.